Chokio; bridge replacement funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Anderson and 1 co-sponsor

The bill funds and authorizes a $290,000 state grant (via bonds) to Stevens County to design, construct, and equip the Chokio Bridge replacement.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Capital Investment

#appropriations #bonds #citiesandtowns-specific #highways #roads #andbridges

Purpose and intent

The bill authorizes financing for the replacement of the Chokio Bridge on Stevens County State-Aid Highway 13 in the city of Chokio, Minnesota.

It provides a state grant to Stevens County to design, construct, and equip the bridge replacement.

It also authorizes the sale of state bonds to fund the appropriation.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1 – Appropriation and project scope

Subdivision 1 (Appropriation): The bill appropriates $290,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (DOT) to grant to Stevens County for:
Designing the replacement of the Chokio Bridge on Stevens County State-Aid Highway 13 within the city of Chokio.
Constructing and equipping the bridge replacement.
Subdivision 2 (Bond sale): To fund the appropriation, the Commissioner of Management and Budget is directed to sell and issue state bonds up to $290,000, under the standard bond issuance statutes (Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).
EFFECTIVE DATE: The section becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Who is affected

Stevens County and the city of Chokio:

Eligible to receive a state grant for the design, construction, and equipment of the bridge replacement.

Minnesota Department of Transportation (DOT):

Receives the grant administration role for the project in coordination with Stevens County.

State of Minnesota:

Bond-financed expenditure of up to $290,000 to fund the project, with related debt issuance by the state.

Stevens County State-Aid Highway 13 (Chokio Bridge):

The targeted infrastructure project for replacement.

Procedural and timeline notes

The bill is classified as a capital investment measure.

It has been introduced and referred to the Committee on Capital Investment, with first reading dated April 27, 2026.

The bill contemplates bond issuance under existing state bond laws and constitutional provisions, consistent with standard capital bonding processes.

If enacted, implementation would follow the standard grant administration process from DOT to Stevens County, with the project scope limited to design, construction, and equipment for the Chokio Bridge replacement.

Practical impact

Provides a dedicated, state-backed funding stream (via bond proceeds) to replace a bridge critical to local transportation on a state-aid highway.

Enables timely project initiation by securing financing and granting funds to the county for design and construction activities.

Establishes a clear funding amount ($290,000) and a defined repayment mechanism through state bonds as part of Minnesota’s capital investment program.

Bill