Minneapolis Washington Avenue improvements bond issue and appropriation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doron Clark

The bill allocates $6.5 million in state bonds to Hennepin County to design, engineer, and reconstruct a safety-improvement segment of Washington Avenue (County Road 152).

Referred to Capital Investment

#appropriations #bonds #transportationandtransportationdepartment

Purpose and Intent

The bill authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds to fund improvements on Washington Avenue in Minneapolis, specifically to support safety-related enhancements along a section of County Road 152 (Washington Avenue) in Minneapolis.

The focus is on designing, engineering, and reconstructing the road to improve safety and traffic conditions in the project area.

Key Provisions

Section 1 – Hennepin County; Washington Avenue Safety Improvements

Subdivision 1. Appropriation

The state appropriates $6,500,000 from the bond proceeds account to the state transportation fund.
The money is designated for Hennepin County todesign, engineer, and reconstruct County Road 152 in Minneapolis between the I-35W southbound ramps and 3rd Street South.

Subdivision 2. Bond Sale

The Commissioner of Management and Budget is authorized to sell and issue up to $6,500,000 in state bonds from the bond proceeds account to fund the appropriation.
Bond issuance must proceed in the manner, terms, and effects prescribed by Minnesota statutes governing bond issuance (Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675) and the state constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

Effective Date

The appropriation section takes effect the day after final enactment.

Who and What Would Be Affected

Beneficiaries

Hennepin County, for purposes of designing, engineering, and reconstructing a segment of Washington Avenue (County Road 152) in Minneapolis.

General public and road users in the project area, anticipated to benefit from safety improvements and enhanced infrastructure along the specified corridor.

Government/Agencies Involved

Minnesota Department of Transportation (implicit in project implementation and funding through the state transportation fund).

Minnesota Management and Budget (for bond issuance authorization and process).

Hennepin County (project design, engineering, and reconstruction).

Financial and Procedural Details

Total Bond Amount: $6,500,000.

Source: Bond proceeds account to the state transportation fund.

Use: Design, engineering, and reconstruction associated with the Washington Avenue safety improvements along County Road 152 between I-35W southbound ramps and 3rd Street South.

Bond Issuance: Authority granted to the Commissioner of Management and Budget to issue bonds up to the stated amount under applicable Minnesota bond statutes and constitutional provisions.

Effective Date: Subsection becomes effective the day after enactment.

Context and Impact Considerations

This bill is a targeted capital investment aimed at roadway safety in a specific Minneapolis corridor.

It leverages state bonding authority to finance local infrastructure improvements, aligning with Minnesota’s capital investment framework.

The scope is relatively focused (design, engineering, reconstruction) and does not specify accompanying ancillary projects beyond the defined road segment.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to similar state-funded road safety projects or outline potential next steps in the legislative process (e.g., anticipated committees, fiscal notes, or environmental considerations).

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