Minneapolis; Washington Avenue improvements funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mohamud Noor

Funds up to 6.5 million in state bonds will finance a grant to Hennepin County for design, engineering, and reconstruction of Washington Avenue (County Road 152) in Minneapolis.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Capital Investment

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

Purpose and intent

To fund improvements along Washington Avenue in the City of Minneapolis, with specific construction and safety-related work on a segment of County Road 152 (Washington Avenue) from the I-35W southbound ramps to 3rd Street South.

The bill authorizes the sale of state bonds to finance the project and appropriates the necessary funds from the bond proceeds account.

Key provisions and changes

Appropriation of funds (Subd. 1):

The bill appropriates $6,500,000 from the bond proceedings account in the state transportation fund.
The funds are designated to the Commissioner of Transportation for a grant to Hennepin County.
The purpose of the grant is for design, engineering, and reconstruction of County Road 152 (Washington Avenue) within the cited Minneapolis corridor.

Bond authorization (Subd. 2):

The state will sell and issue bonds up to $6,500,000 to finance the appropriation from the bond proceeds account.
Bond issuance must follow the applicable state statutes and constitutional requirements governing debt issuance (Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and Article XI, sections 4–7).

Effective date:

The section becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Affected entities and impacts

Hennepin County: Receives a grant from the state transportation fund for the Washington Avenue improvements (design, engineering, reconstruction). This is a fiscal transfer to support local corridor enhancements.

City of Minneapolis / Washington Avenue corridor: Targeted improvements along Washington Avenue in the specified segment, aimed at safety enhancements, traffic considerations, and reconstruction needs.

State of Minnesota / Department of Transportation: Responsible for administering the grant to Hennepin County, overseeing design/engineering/reconstruction work, and coordinating bond issuance.

Procedural and timeline notes

Legislative step: The bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Capital Investment (as of 04/22/2026). Final enactment would require passage by both chambers and signature by the governor.

Funding timeline: The bill creates a one-time appropriation of $6.5 million funded via state bonds. Implementation timelines for design, engineering, and construction would follow standard project delivery schedules once the grant is awarded and bond proceeds are issued.

Legal/bond framework: Authorization to issue bonds is explicitly tied to existing Minnesota statutes governing debt issuance and the state constitution, ensuring compliance with debt limits and repayment terms.

Notes

The bill focuses on a specific project segment (County Road 152 / Washington Avenue between I-35W southbound ramps and 3rd Street South) and does not appear to authorize broader road or transit projects beyond this corridor segment.

No additional ongoing annual appropriations or operating costs are described; the provision centers on a capital investment funded through bonds for a one-time construction-related purpose.

Bill