Forest Lake; marked U.S. Highway 61 and Washington County State-Aid Highway 32 intersection improvements funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

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

Funds up to 5.5 million are authorized to design, acquire rights, and construct intersection improvements at Forest Lake’s U.S. 61 and Washington County 32, including a possible ro

Introduction and first reading, referred to Transportation Finance and Policy

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

Purpose and Intent

The bill authorizes funding for improvements at the intersection of marked U.S. Highway 61 and Washington County State-Aid Highway 32 (11th Avenue) in the city of Forest Lake.

It aims to address safety, accessibility, and traffic operation concerns at this intersection, including the potential construction of a roundabout.

Key Provisions

Section 1. Forest Lake; U.S. Highway 61 Intersection Improvements

Subd. 1. Appropriation

Appropriates $5,500,000 from the bond proceeds account in the trunk highway fund.
Use: preliminary design, final design, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of improvements at the designated intersection.
Project scope includes a roundabout and associated improvements to safety and traffic operations.

Subd. 2. Bond Sale

The Commissioner of Management and Budget is authorized to sell and issue up to $5,500,000 in state bonds to fund the appropriation.
Bond issuance must comply with Minnesota statutes (Minnesota Statutes, sections 167.50 to 167.52) and the state constitution (Article XIV, section 11).
Bond proceeds, excluding accrued interest and any bond sale premium, must be deposited into the Bond Proceeds account in the trunk highway fund.

Effective Date

The section becomes effective the day following final enactment.

State Finance and Bonding Details

Total Bond Amount: Up to $5,500,000

Source: Bond proceeds account within the trunk highway fund

Eligible Uses: All costs related to the project lifecycle listed in Subd. 1 (design, right-of-way, construction, and related engineering and improvements)

Bond Administration: Managed by the Commissioner of Management and Budget; subject to Minnesota bond laws and constitutional provisions

Proceeds Allocation: Net bond proceeds (excluding accrued interest and any premium) must be deposited to the bond proceeds account in the trunk highway fund

Who/What Is Affected

State transportation financing and planning processes are involved, specifically within the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for project design and construction.

The City of Forest Lake and users of U.S. Highway 61 and Washington County State-Aid Highway 32 (11th Avenue) would be directly affected by the planned intersection improvements, including potential changes to traffic flow, safety features, and accessibility.

Timeline and Process Considerations

The bill provides funding authorization and bond authorization but does not specify construction start dates beyond the appropriation and design/construction steps implied.

The anticipated sequence: 1) Appropriation of $5.5 million from bond proceeds. 2) Bond issuance up to $5.5 million by the Commissioner of Management and Budget. 3) Allocation of proceeds to MnDOT for design, right-of-way, and construction. 4) Implementation of improvements, including a potential roundabout.

Notes

Effective date is the day after enactment.

The bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation Finance and Policy (April 20, 2026) with co-sponsors Patti Anderson and Josiah Hill.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language breakdown of what a roundabout installation typically entails and potential safety and traffic operation impacts for a similar intersection.

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