BEMIDJI, 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.
Visit the District Two projects page for more information on
big projects in northwestern Minnesota, www.mndot.gov/d2/projects. They include:
·
Bemidji-
Highway 2 and Highway 197 resurfacing
·
Deer
River- Highway 2 resurfacing
·
East
Grand Forks- Highway 2 Kennedy Bridge
·
Winger
to Callaway- Hwy 59 resurfacing
For a complete list of projects, including construction
dates and traffic impacts, visit www.mndot.gov/construction.
Motorists can stay informed about projects and other
transportation topics by connecting to MnDOT via social media, as well as by
signing up to receive email updates at www.mndot.gov.
Watch for orange cones
Because of the number of work zones motorists will encounter
as crews perform road construction and maintenance work this construction
season, MnDOT asks drivers to be alert on the road this summer. MnDOT urges
motorists to:
·
Minimize
distractions (e.g., don’t use cell phones or eat or drink while driving)
·
Follow
posted speed limits; fines double in work zones
·
Expect
delays, especially during peak travel times
“I strongly urge all motorists to drive carefully in work
zones. These areas can be dangerous places for both those who work in them, as
well as those who drive through them,” Zelle said. “We all want to reach our
destinations safely.”
