Purpose

This bill would authorize a new funding and bonding package to support a transportation project in North Branch. Specifically, it aims to provide money and bonding authority to help create an interchange at Interstate Highway 35 and 400th Street in North Branch.

Main Provisions

• Subdivision 1 — Appropriation:

  • The bill appropriates 4,000,000 from the bond proceeds account in the state transportation fund.
  • The money is to be used as a grant to the city of North Branch for predesign, design, and right-of-way acquisition for constructing the Interstate 35–400th Street interchange.

• Subdivision 2 — Bond Sale:

  • The state will sell and issue bonds up to 4,000,000 to fund the appropriation.
  • Bond issuance must follow Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

What It Seeks to Accomplish

• Provide early-stage funding (predesign, design, and right-of-way) to advance the North Branch interchange project.
• Enable the project to move forward by securing necessary financing through state bonds.

Financial and Legal Details

• Funding Source: Bond proceeds account in the state transportation fund (as authorized by Minnesota Statutes section 174.50).
• Bonding Authority: Up to 4,000,000 in bonds, to be sold under state law and constitutional provisions.
• Agencies Involved:
  • Commissioner of Transportation receives the appropriation to grant funds for the project.
  • Commissioner of Management and Budget oversees issuing the bonds.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new appropriation and bonding authorization specifically for the I-35 and 400th Street interchange in North Branch.
• Uses existing bond proceeds frameworks and statutory/bonding processes (Statutes 174.50, 16A.631–16A.675, and Article XI of the Minnesota Constitution) to finance the project.

Impact and Rationale

• Expected to advance a planned highway interchange that could improve traffic flow, safety, and local transportation access in North Branch.
• Aligns with capital investment in transportation infrastructure by funding a project through state bonds and targeted grants to a city.

Administration and Oversight

• The grant to the city of North Branch and the design-related activities will be administered under state transportation funding rules.
• Bond issuance must adhere to the listed statutes and constitutional requirements.

Relevant Terms - appropriation - bond proceeds account - state transportation fund - grant - North Branch - Interstate Highway 35 - 400th Street - interchange - predesign - design - right-of-way acquisition - bond sale - bonds - Minnesota Statutes section 174.50 - Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7 - capital investment