Prior Lake; marked Trunk Highway 13 trail improvements funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Bakeberg

Funds design, engineering, and construction of a three-segment bituminous trail along west side of Trunk Highway 13 in Prior Lake to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrian

Introduction and first reading, referred to Transportation Finance and Policy

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

Purpose and intent

HF 5016 authorizes funding for the design, engineering, and construction of a three-segment, bituminous multiuse trail along the west side of marked Trunk Highway 13 in the city of Prior Lake. The project aims to provide a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists, improve accessibility, and enhance safety for students and the broader community.

Key provisions

Appropriation of bond funds

Amount: $4,103,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds account within the Trunk Highway Fund to the Commissioner of Transportation.
Purpose: To design, engineer, and construct three segments of a bituminous multiuse trail along the west side of Trunk Highway 13 in Prior Lake.
Public benefits cited: Safe route to schools, improved accessibility, and enhanced pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Bond authorization and sale

The Commissioner of Management and Budget is authorized to sell and issue bonds up to $4,103,000 from the state’s bond proceeds account to fund this appropriation.
Bond terms: To be issued in the manner and on terms prescribed by Minnesota statutes (Minnesota Statutes, sections 167.50 to 167.52) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XIV, §3? per reference Article XIV, section 11).
Bond proceeds timing: Proceeds (excluding interest accrual and any bond sale premiums) must be deposited into the bond proceeds account in the Trunk Highway Fund.

Effective date

The appropriation and related bond authority become effective the day after final enactment.

What would be affected

State agencies

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT): Responsible for the design, engineering, and construction of the three trail segments.

Financing mechanisms

Trunk Highway Fund bond proceeds: The project is funded through state bond proceeds, with debt service managed per statutory bonding processes.

Local impact

Prior Lake residents and students: Potentially improved safety and connectivity for walking and biking routes to schools and local destinations along or near Trunk Highway 13.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative action to date

Introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation Finance and Policy.
First reading completed (April 16, 2026).

Next steps (typical process)

Committee review and potential amendments.
Full House vote.
Senate consideration (if applicable in parallel session).
Final enactment and signature by the governor to become law.

Notes and considerations

The bill explicitly ties the project to safety, accessibility, and youth access to education (schools).

The funding relies on the state bonding process; the timing of bond sales and expenditures will follow statutory bond sale procedures.

No local matching funds are specified in the bill text provided; it focuses on state bond funding and appropriation.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to similar Minnesota trail funding bills or map the proposed trail segments along Trunk Highway 13 for better visual context.

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