Blaine received four million dollars in federal funds to improve conditions on parts of Highway 65, in particular the the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the City of Blaine are looking at fixing the roads between 97th and 119th.
Representative Tom Emmer and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith requested funds on behalf of the city of Blaine during the 2023 appropriations cycle. The federal funds from will fund the project and will construct a grade-separated intersection to improve the flow of traffic, expand access for multiple modes of transportation, and improve safety for vehicles traveling along and across the highway corridor, as well as safe bike and pedestrian passage.
“Highway 65 is a vital link between the Twin Cities urban core and the north metro communities. As a leader in the north metro, Blaine has taken the lead on advocating for change on Highway 65. We are glad to see this investment that returns federal tax dollars to our community. This project has momentum that it has never seen before and it is time to push to fully fund the project,” said Tim Sanders, Mayor of Blaine.
These funds come after the lawmakers and city officials met in October to discuss a proposal $163 million dollar proposal to construct bridges where lights are on the stretch highway coming into Blaine. Officials discussed the highway being one of the most dangerous in the metro and in dire need of upgrades and general improvements to roads, exits, and off-ramps.
Mayor Time Sanders hopes that construction will begin late 2023 and that they will begin receiving more funds to fill that $163 million dollar proposal.
Blaine hosts many national events at the National Sports Center and the 3M Golf Tournament each year and brings in thousands. With these upcoming improvements to highway 65, Mayor Sanders hopes that Blaine will become a “community worthy of hosting the world.”
