Purpose

This bill provides funding and authorization to convert a segment of U.S. Highway 10 in Sherburne County from a standard road into a freeway. It sets up a financing plan using state bonds and outlines how the work will be planned, studied, and built. The project is organized in phases, starting with Phase 1 and with the ability to use any unspent money from Phase 1 for Phase 2.

What the bill would fund

• Appropriation: $35,000,000 from the bond proceeds account in the trunk highway fund to the commissioner of transportation.
• Uses: Design, engineering, environmental analysis, land acquisition, and construction to convert U.S. Highway 10 to a freeway (as defined in Minnesota law) from Sherburne County StateAid Highway 8 (15th Avenue SE in St. Cloud) to Trunk Highway 24 (Main Avenue) and County StateAid Highway 6 (Center Street in Clear Lake).
• Phase 1 scope: Includes an interchange at U.S. Highway 10 and SH 8 (15th Avenue SE) and two other U.S. Highway 10 improvements near the interchange.
• Phase 2 planning: Any unexpended portion of the Phase 1 money is available for trunk highway improvements in Phase 2.

Financing and bond details

• Bond issuance: The commissioner of management and budget will sell and issue state bonds up to $35,000,000 to provide the money described above, under applicable Minnesota statutes and constitutional authority.
• Bond proceeds handling: The principal proceeds from the bonds must be deposited into the bond proceeds account in the trunk highway fund. Interest and any premium from the sale are not deposited into that same account (they are treated separately under this provision).

Relationship to existing law and project scope

• Definition reference: The project uses the term freeway as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 160.02, subdivision 1(19).
• Payment sequencing: The bill specifies when funds are available (Phase 1) and how additional work (Phase 2) can be funded if money remains after Phase 1.

Significance and expected impact

• This bill formalizes a major highway project in central Minnesota, shifting a portion of U.S. Highway 10 to a freeway, which could improve traffic flow, safety, and local development around St. Cloud and Clear Lake.
• It creates a long-term funding mechanism through state bonds and designates a clear path for Phase 2 if Phase 1 funds are not fully used.

Relevant terms U.S. Highway 10, freeway, Sherburne County, StateAid Highway 8 (15th Avenue SE), St. Cloud, Trunk Highway 24 (Main Avenue), County StateAid Highway 6 (Center Street), Phase 1, Phase 2, design, engineering, environmental analysis, land acquisition, construction, bond proceeds account, trunk highway fund, bond sale, Minnesota Statutes sections 167.50 to 167.52, Minnesota Constitution article XIV section 11.