Saint Paul – With transportation funding from the federal stimulus package now available, Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced 60 state highway projects that are slated to begin construction in Greater Minnesota as early as this spring. Stimulus funds targeted for the Greater Minnesota highway construction, paving, bridge and safety projects total $180 million.

“These projects will mean jobs in Greater Minnesota and lasting improvements in our state’s transportation infrastructure,” Governor Pawlenty said. “These road and highway projects are exactly the kind of bread and butter projects that we should have seen more of in the federal stimulus package. Unfortunately, only $27.5 billion of the $787 billion bill funds highway improvements.”

The Federal Highway Administration estimates that the Greater Minnesota transportation projects will create approximately 5,000 jobs. Projects in the Twin Cities metro area are being finalized and will be announced in March.

Greater Minnesota projects in the package range from concrete rehabilitation on Interstate 94 near Monticello, to repaving Highway 75 north of Ortonville, to heavy asphalt and concrete replacement work on stretches of Interstate 90 in southern Minnesota.

Contractors for the first round of projects will be selected March 13, with work to begin in May.

"We will make sure that Minnesota’s share of the federal stimulus funds is used efficiently and effectively on shovel-ready transportation projects around the state,” said Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel said. “We are optimistic that Minnesota will meet the required federal deadlines and we appreciate the support of our local partners and stakeholders.”

Minnesota is expected to receive more than $596 million for state and local highway and transit projects over the next two years as a result of the federal legislation. Approximately 30 percent of the highway funds are available for local units of government and the remaining 70 percent is for projects identified by Mn/DOT to meet the goal of the federal legislation to create jobs and improve the nation’s infrastructure. The bulk of the money will go for roads and bridges, with half of the funds targeted for projects that must start within 120 days.

Mn/DOT used the following criteria in selecting the 60 Greater Minnesota projects:

• Project readiness is assessed based on status of environmental review, percent of right of way purchased, etc.
  
  
• Consistency with performance based plans. Mn/DOT prioritized projects identified within the State Transportation Improvement Program or from the Long Range District Plans.
  
  
• Statewide coverage. In order to create jobs statewide, Mn/DOT worked to ensure that the projects selected provide statewide coverage, job and transportation impact.
  
  
• Work type balance. Selecting a variety of project types, such as concrete and bituminous or preservation and safety will best use the entire capacity of Minnesota’s highway construction industry to ensure the best possible project prices, efficient program delivery and job creation.
  
  
• Project advancement. Projects already funded in FY2009 will not be included in the Economic Recovery Program. The planned construction schedule for a project must be advanced to be included in the Economic Recovery Program. In addition, work must start on projects immediately after letting and contract award. This will ensure that the projects represent new or increased work and, therefore, result in job creation.

These projects are in addition to the usual annual list of projects that Mn/DOT unveils each spring.

More information is available on Mn/DOT's Web at http://www.mndot.gov