Mn/DOT announces local transportation stimulus projects
Fifty-three city/county projects move forward with economic stimulus funding
March 13, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Mn/DOT today announced city and county road and bridge projects in Greater Minnesota that will be fast- forwarded with transportation funding from the federal economic stimulus package.
The $75 million in projects include 22 road projects, 22 bridge projects and several state and local partnership projects.
These city and county projects are in addition to the 60 state highway projects announced by Governor Pawlenty and Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel in February. Using federal stimulus funds, the state projects are slated to begin construction in Greater Minnesota as early as this spring and total $180 million.
“Mn/DOT worked closely with our local partners to select a balanced package of projects to create jobs and improve transportation for Minnesota citizens,” said Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel. “This cooperation is important so that projects that require state and local shared funds can be staged and coordinated properly.”
The projects may be advertised by local governments and contractors selected as early as April 2009.
Partnership projects include resurfacing Interstate 90 and County Road 46 in Freeborn County. Local improvements include a new alignment of an urban four-lane roadway in Waite Park, replacement of a three-span bridge in Aitken County and construction of a new interchange and elimination of an at-grade railroad crossing near Mankato.
A list of the projects is available on Mn/DOT’s Web site at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/federalrecovery/local.html.
Projects were selected using the following criteria:
- Project readiness. Readiness is assessed based on status of environmental review, percent of right of way purchased, etc.
- Consistency with performance-based plans. Mn/DOT prioritized projects identified within the State Transportation Improvement Program or from the Long Range District Plans.
- Statewide coverage. Because the intent of the program is to create jobs statewide, Mn/DOT worked to ensure that the projects selected provide statewide coverage, job and transportation impact. The law also required that Mn/DOT consider population when selecting projects to ensure geographic balance.
- Work type balance. Selecting a variety of project types, such as concrete and bituminous or preservation and safety, will best use the entire capacity of Minnesota’s highway construction industry to ensure the best possible project prices, efficient program delivery and job creation.
- Project advancement. Projects already funded in state fiscal year 2009 were not included in stimulus because the planned construction schedule must be advanced by one or more fiscal years. In addition, work must start on projects immediately after letting and contract award. This will ensure that the projects represent new or increased work and result in job creation.
“Mn/DOT’s State Aid Office will work with local governments to ensure that Minnesota’s share of the federal stimulus funds is used efficiently and effectively on shovel-ready transportation projects around the state,” said Sorel. “We are optimistic that Minnesota will meet the required federal deadlines and we appreciate the support of our local partners and stakeholders.”
The Federal Highway Administration estimates that the Greater Minnesota state and local projects will create approximately 5,000 jobs. Projects in the Twin Cities Metro area are still being finalized and will be announced later this month.
More information is available on Mn/DOT’s Federal Recovery Web site at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/federalrecovery.
