[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz announced today that Minnesota’s Department of Transportation (MnDOT) was awarded $18 million in Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants to fund reconstruction for MN Hwy 197 in Bemidji.

“Minnesota has the fourth highest number of roads in the country, and that means regular maintenance and repair to ensure safety and efficiency,” said Governor Walz. “I am grateful for this federal partnership and their decision to award funding to one of Northern Minnesota’s critical roadways to provide the upgrades these communities deserve. Investment in infrastructure are investments in Minnesota’s safety, economy, and livability, and I’m looking forward to continuing to improve infrastructure across our state.”

“MnDOT is grateful to our federal partners for the investments they are making in Minnesota through the RAISE program,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “The $18 million that MnDOT has been awarded to reconstruct Hwy 197 in Bemidji will improve safety, enhance business access, and add sidewalks and lighting for better mobility. Federal investments like this - made possible by the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – will help make our communities safer and more accessible and ensure Minnesota’s transportation system serves all people.”

Highway 197 Reconstruction

Minnesota Hwy 197 in Bemidji from Hannah Avenue to Gillett Drive (carries approximately 15,000 vehicles per day) - project includes corridor improvements to address safety at three locations, maintain acceptable traffic operations and access to businesses, address aging infrastructure and construct non-motorized facilities along and across the corridor for users to reach their destinations. This project will reconstruct State Highway 197 with concrete, construct three roundabouts, and create an urbanized cross section with trails and lighting on both sides of the roadway. The project will also reconstruct two city roadways on Hannah Avenue and Middle School Drive and add new sidewalk connections and two compact roundabouts. The total project cost for the state and local roadways is estimated at $26M and the RAISE funding request was $18M.

Several other RAISE grants were awarded for Minnesota projects, including $9.5 million for a Bois Forte Transit Facility, $19.9 million for the 6 ^th Street Bridge in Rochester, $12 million to Hennepin County for multimodal improvements on Lake Street, $15 million for improvements on Trunk Highway 55 and County Road 73 in Plymouth, and $24.99 million for West Superior Street active transportation in Duluth.

More information about RAISE grants can be found here .