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Cook County was recently awarded $835,000 from the Minnesota Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP). The money will be used to improve CSAH 15 (5th Avenue West in Grand Marais).
When asked what the work entails and when it will occur, Cook County Engineer Robbie Hass replied, “The 5th Avenue West reconstruction will occur in Summer 2023. The estimate is about $1.5 million so the $835k we were awarded will go a long way in helping fund it. Fifth Avenue West is a state aid highway so the remainder of funds will come from our annual state aid allotment. As to what will be done, that hasn’t been finalized yet, since it’s still a couple years out. In general terms, it will be a reconstruction of the road involving some new storm water pipes underneath, obviously new pavement, and we’re still working on the road cross section (i.e., should there be parking on both sides? One side? Sidewalks or trail location, etc.).
“I know there was a public meeting a while back and we’ve been using information gathered from that to help with these decisions. It’s a tight corridor so I believe we’re also staying within our right of way and won’t have to purchase any.”
All told, seventy-five statewide road projects will benefit from $75 million in Local Road Improvement Program funding to help improve or build roads in Minnesota cities, towns and counties. The Minnesota Legislature appropriated an additional $110 million to specific projects, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The LRIP provides funding for capital construction costs only; it does not pay for engineering, right of way or other non-construction related costs. MnDOT’s State Aid Office administers the program with guidance from the LRIP Advisory Committee.
“This funding will go a long way to improving the local transportation system and providing all Minnesotans more reliable and safe roads,” said Marc Briese, State Aid Programs engineer. “These grants give cities, towns and counties more options to improve and create better roadways.”
Projects were selected through a competitive solicitation process that started December 2, 2020. The agency received 425 applications worth $344 million in funding requests. The LRIP Advisory Committee used specific criteria, including regional significance of the route and effectiveness of the project eliminating transportation system deficiencies, to determine funding recipients.
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