Cook County is a step closer to being able to complete a much needed transportation infrastructure improvement. For years, the county has been waiting for Congress to end the federal restrictions that prevent the construction of a road building project on land originally designated for Grand Marais-Cook County airport use.
My legislation, H.R. 2947, requires the Secretary of Agriculture to release Minnesota from the conditions imposed on it by deed 62 years ago relative to a parcel of land to be used for the airport. The airport never used the land, but the federal restrictions on how the land could be developed continued and prevented the land from being allocated for any other use. Consider it an unintentional consequence of restrictive language in the original deed to Cook County.
Following final passage of this common sense legislation, Cook County will then be permitted to move forward with a project that has been in waiting for years. Specifically, the Cook County Highway Department will be able to purchase the final piece of right-ofway from the Cook County Airport for the reconstruction of County Highway 8 (Devil Track Road). It will greatly benefit the residents and visitors of Cook County by allowing the Highway Department to improve the safety and ride quality of this heavily traveled roadway.
I am pleased to report that this legislation has unanimously passed the House of Representatives.
The House’s action to remedy this problem was a positive step toward ensuring that Cook County can move forward with this longawaited project to improve the lives of its residents.
With an identical bill being introduced in the Senate, it is my hope that we will remain focused, with our foot on the pedal, so we can bring resolution to this longstanding transportation infrastructure need for Cook County .
Representative Chip Cravaack
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