ST. PAUL, Minn. – (April 13, 2017) – Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle today announced $1 billion in state road and bridge projects that will be worked on statewide this year. MnDOT says that the 211 projects, many of which are already underway, will help keep the state’s roads and bridges in good working condition, improve safety for motorists and support thousands of construction jobs across the state.
“While this year’s program is comparable in dollar value to last year’s, we are seeing fewer projects. And, in the coming years, we will also see the funding that is available to invest will decrease because of inflation and flattening revenue streams,” Zelle said.
The latest 20-year Minnesota highway investment plan forecasts an $18 billion dollar gap between anticipated revenue and what MnDOT will need to keep the transportation system operating competitively.
“The transportation system is a key to Minnesota’s economic success,” Zelle said. “With more than half of our state roads older than 50 years, and 40 percent of our bridges more than 40 years old, the need is outpacing available resources. It’s important that legislators work together to find a long-term, sustainable funding solution this year so the transportation system does not continue to degrade.”
Zelle also announced 57 multimodal projects valued at $47 million. These include airport, port and railroad projects that are outside of the state road construction program.
MnDOT announces 2017 state road construction projects
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle today announced $1 billion in state road and bridge projects that will be worked on statewide this year. The 211 projects, many of which are already underway, will help keep the state’s roads and bridges in good working condition, improve safety for motorists and support thousands of construction jobs across the state.
“While this year’s program is comparable in dollar value to last year’s, we are seeing fewer projects. And, in the coming years, we will also see the funding that is available to invest will decrease because of inflation and flattening revenue streams,” Zelle said.
The latest 20-year Minnesota highway investment plan forecasts an $18 billion dollar gap between anticipated revenue and what MnDOT will need to keep the transportation system operating competitively.
“The transportation system is a key to Minnesota’s economic success,” Zelle said. “With more than half of our state roads older than 50 years, and 40 percent of our bridges more than 40 years old, the need is outpacing available resources. It’s important that legislators work together to find a long-term, sustainable funding solution this year so the transportation system does not continue to degrade.”
Zelle also announced 57 multimodal projects valued at $47 million. These include airport, port and railroad projects that are outside of the state road construction program.
2017 road and bridge construction season
Among the highlights of this year’s construction season is the anticipated completion of the St. Croix River Crossing between Stillwater, Minn., and St. Joseph, Wis., and the relocation of Highway 53 in Virginia, Minn., that includes the construction of what will be the tallest bridge in Minnesota.
Big projects in the Twin Cities metro area this year include:
- Interstate 94, Minneapolis to Brooklyn Center
- I-94, St. Paul to Maplewood
- I-35W/Lake Street in Minneapolis
- Highway 169
- I-694 in Arden Hills, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights and Little Canada
Local projects include improvement to Highway 10 through Anoka and Ramsey and light & sidewalk upgrades to Highway 65 at 105th Street.
For a complete list of projects, including construction dates and traffic impacts, visit www.mndot.gov/construction.
