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SF 2996

Hennepin County U.S. Highway 7 corridor safety improvements appropriation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Julia Coleman

SF 2996: Hennepin County U.S. Highway 7 Corridor Safety Improvements Appropriation SummaryThis bill appropriates funding for safety improvements along the U.S. Highway 7 corridor i

Referred to Transportation
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Bill Summary · SF 2996

SF 2996: Hennepin County U.S. Highway 7 Corridor Safety Improvements Appropriation

Summary

This bill appropriates funding for safety improvements along the U.S. Highway 7 corridor in Hennepin County, Minnesota. The main goal is to enhance traffic safety and reduce the risk of accidents on this heavily-traveled roadway.

Key Provisions

  • Appropriates $18 million from the state's general fund to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for improvements to U.S. Highway 7 in Hennepin County.
  • Directs MnDOT to use the funding for a variety of safety upgrades, including:
    • Adding turn lanes and dedicated turn signals at key intersections
    • Constructing medians and barriers to prevent head-on collisions
    • Improving lighting, signage, and pavement markings
    • Widening shoulders and upgrading guardrails
  • Requires MnDOT to work with local officials and the public to develop a specific improvement plan for the corridor.
  • Specifies that the appropriation is available until the project is completed, with an estimated timeline of 3-4 years.

Impact

This bill is intended to improve safety and reduce accidents along the U.S. Highway 7 corridor, which is a crucial transportation artery connecting several suburbs west of Minneapolis. The corridor has experienced a high number of crashes in recent years, some of them fatal.

The safety upgrades funded by this bill would directly benefit the tens of thousands of drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists who use this roadway daily. It is also expected to have positive spillover effects on surrounding local streets and neighborhoods.

The $18 million investment represents a significant commitment by the state to address longstanding safety concerns along this corridor. Successful completion of the project could serve as a model for similar infrastructure improvements in other high-risk areas of Minnesota's highway system.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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