Governor Tim Pawlenty announced the funding of 60 state highway projects on Wednesday, after the first wave of federal stimulus money became available to states.
The stimulus funds will invest an initial $180 million in outstate construction—including paving, bridge, and safety projects—and create 5,000 jobs, according to estimates by the Federal Highway Administration.
“These projects will mean jobs in greater Minnesota and lasting improvements in our state’s transportation infrastructure,” Pawlenty said in a statement. “These road and highway projects are exactly the kind of bread and butter projects that we should have seen more of in the federal stimulus package. Unfortunately, only $27.5 billion of the $787 billion bill funds highway improvements.”
The most notable projects funded with federal money include concrete rehabilitation on Interstate 94 outside of Monticello, a repave of Highway 75 north of Ortonville, and asphalt and concrete replacement on Interstate 90 in southern Minnesota.
The outstate projects are expected to start in May, after contractors are selected in March.
The state is expected to collect more than $596 million in stimulus money for highway and transit projects within the next two years.
Construction plans for the Twin Cities area have yet to be finalized and will be made known in March.
According to the federal legislation, 30 percent of funds will be available to local governments in the state, and 70 percent will be designated to Minnesota Department of Transportation projects.
