Gov. Tim Walz announced $2.73 to the City of Hastings to help build a new road system as part of the Hwy. 61 reconstruction through Hastings.
On Jan. 3, Walz announced a total of $17.4 million for eight construction projects in the Twin Cities Metro and Greater Minnesota to improve transportation infrastructure that supports economic growth. The projects are estimated to support over 2,000 jobs.
The Hastings plan reconstructs Highway 61 through Hastings. The project includes a new road system from 21st Street to 25th Street that will reduce traffic on local neighborhood roads, provide a local road system for industry and commercial access and improve trail system access that safely connects bike and pedestrian traffic to businesses in the area. The project may help create as many as 75 new jobs by 2028, said Walz.
“Investing in our transportation system helps strengthen communities, create jobs, and promote economic growth,” said Walz. “ These projects will support a broad range of opportunities for business growth, ranging from business incubators to small businesses to meat processing plants, while improving the safety and efficiency of our transportation system.”
The funding comes from the state’s competitive Transportation Economic Development (TED) and Transportation Economic Development Infrastructure (TEDI) programs. The programs target transportation infrastructure projects that create economic development opportunities and jobs through a collaboration between MnDOT, the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and local government and private sector partners.
“This round of Transportation Economic Development funding leverages local public and private funding to complete road projects that help create safe, vibrant communities, connect local businesses to their customers and supply chains, and connect people to jobs,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “The projects also improve local and regional safety, and demonstrate how a strong multi-modal transportation system supports healthy communities.”
“Infrastructure investments help businesses grow and make local communities attractive to companies looking to relocate or expand,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “This partnership between DEED, MnDOT and local jurisdictions around the state illustrates our all-in effort to sustain Minnesota’s economic success.”
Another local project is also receiving funding:
Dakota County (TED: $2.4 million) – Improve the existing Highway 52/County Road 42 interchange in Rosemount, including adding new traffic signals and improving turn lane capacity from Highway 52 onto County Road 42. The project will improve safety in an area seeing increased truck traffic serving local companies. Businesses along the corridor may add 1,340 new jobs by 2028.
An additional TED funding solicitation will open in summer 2024, with $4.4 million in TED funds available for projects exclusively in Greater Minnesota.