HF1788

Purpose

• Authorizes a one-time financial appropriation to support building an interchange at Interstate Highway 35 and 400th Street in the city of North Branch. The funds are aimed at moving forward the project by funding predesign, design, and right-of-way acquisition.

Main Provisions

• A one-time appropriation of $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to the commissioner of transportation.
• The money is to be used as a grant to the city of North Branch for predesign, design, and right-of-way acquisition for the interstate interchange.
• Availability of the funds is conditioned on the commissioner of management and budget determining that sufficient resources have been committed from nonstate sources to complete the project.
• The appropriation remains available until the project is completed or abandoned, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642.

Financial Details

• Amount: $4,000,000 (in fiscal year 2026)
• Source: General fund
• Recipient: City of North Branch (via grant to support interchanges work)
• Project focus: Predesign, design, and right-of-way acquisition for the I-35 and 400th Street interchange

Conditions and Timing

• The funds become available only after the commissioner of management and budget confirms nonstate resources are committed to complete the project.
• It is a one-time appropriation and remains available until project completion or abandonment, subject to Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642.

Impact and Significance

• Enables the planning and early development work for a new interstate interchange, potentially improving local traffic flow and regional transportation infrastructure in North Branch.
• Demonstrates state support for a specific local infrastructure project, contingent on matching nonstate resources.

Related Legal References / Changes

• Ties the funding to predesign, design, and right-of-way activities.
• Integrates with existing budgetary and appropriation processes, including the requirement to secure nonstate resources and the 16A.642 framework for project completion or abandonment.

Relevant Terms - Interchange - Interstate Highway 35 - 400th Street - North Branch - capital investment - appropriation - general fund - commissioner of transportation - grant - predesign - design - right-of-way acquisition - nonstate resources - Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642 - fiscal year 2026 - project completion - project abandonment - management and budget