Minnesota can expect to get $3.5 billion in federal funding for road and bridge projects in the transportation bill approved by Congress Friday.
The Transportation Equity Act provides $286.4 billion over six years for roadway and transit projects across the country. The House and Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill and sent it to President Bush, who promised to sign it.
The $3.5 billion Minnesota expects to get marks a 35 percent to 40 percent increase over the previous six-year bill, according to Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, who is also the state's transportation commissioner.
"After nearly two years of extension, MnDOT is very pleased that Congress has finally passed a long-term transportation funding reauthorization bill," Molnau said. "The new bill is good news for the country and will be of great benefit to Minnesota."
The state will receive more than $400 million for statewide transit projects over the next five years, according to Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn.
According to tallies done by the state's U.S. representatives and senators, big-ticket items in the transportation bill for Minnesota include $80 million for the Northstar Commuter Rail Project aimed at relieving traffic congestion in the northwest suburbs. Also, the St. Paul Union Depot will receive $50 million to convert it into a new transportation hub. Another $50 million will fund lane construction on Highway 53 between Virginia and International Falls.
Other major projects funded in the transportation bill include:
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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