Purpose and intent

• This bill provides funding to study and plan an expansion of U.S. Highway 169 in Minnesota, turning the road from two lanes into a four-lane divided highway. The work is split into two geographic segments: one in Itasca County (between Taconite and Pengilly) and another that includes Itasca County and nearby areas (from Itasca County State Aid Highway 7 in Taconite to near Pengilly on Trunk Highway 65). The overall goal is to improve traffic flow and safety by adding lanes and upgrading the highway corridor.

Main provisions

• Section 1 (amending existing law): Recasts a 2023 appropriation to provide $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 from the trunk highway fund to the state Department of Transportation for planning activities related to expanding U.S. Highway 169 from two lanes to a four-lane divided highway between Taconite and Pengilly. Activities include planning, predesign, design engineering, environmental analysis, and remediation. This is a one-time appropriation and is available through June 30, 2027 (per the bill’s timeline in the text).
• Section 2: Creates a separate, one-time appropriation of $8,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the trunk highway fund to the Department of Transportation for planning and related activities for a second segment: expansion of U.S. Highway 169 from Itasca County State Aid Highway 7 in Taconite to near Pengilly at the intersection with Trunk Highway 65. This includes planning, route selection, predesign, design, surface and mineral title searches, engineering, environmental analysis, and remediation. This appropriation is available through June 30, 2029.

Funding sources

• All funds come from the trunk highway fund, not new taxes or fees.

Geographic scope and timeline

• Two segments:
  • Segment 1: Itasca County, from Taconite to Pengilly (between U.S. 169 and Pengilly area).
  • Segment 2: Itasca County to near Pengilly, from Itasca County State Aid Highway 7 in Taconite to Trunk Highway 65 near Pengilly.
• Timelines:
  • Segment 1: $6,000,000 in FY2024, available through June 30, 2027.
  • Segment 2: $8,000,000 in FY2027, available through June 30, 2029.

Significant changes to existing law

• The bill amends Laws 2023, chapter 68, article 1, section 17, subdivision 12 to alter the prior appropriation for U.S. Highway 169 expansion and add a new, separate one-time appropriation for the Itasca County segment. It updates the scope to include planning, environmental work, and related analyses for the expanded highway.

Overall impact

• The bill directs state funds to comprehensive planning and environmental review necessary to upgrade a rural highway to a higher-capacity, safer roadway. It emphasizes a phased approach with dedicated funding in two stages tied to specific highway segments and timelines.

Relevant Terms - U.S. Highway 169 expansion - Itasca County - Taconite - Pengilly - U.S. Highway 169 (two lanes to four-lane divided highway) - Itasca County State Aid Highway 7 - Trunk Highway 65 - Planning, predesign, design engineering - Environmental analysis and remediation - Mineral title searches - Trunk Highway Fund - One-time appropriation - Fiscal years 2024 and 2027 - Availability through June 30, 2027 and June 30, 2029