HF4918

Purpose

This bill changes how existing capital investment funds are used for rail grade separation projects on crude oil rail corridors in Minnesota. It focuses on three projects (Moorhead, Anoka County, and Red Wing) and adds flexibility for how any unspent funds can be used later. It also extends deadlines for using bond proceeds tied to these projects and reinforces that some funds can be used for related improvements.

Main Provisions

• Moorhead project
  • Allocates 42,262,000 for environmental analysis, design engineering, removal of an existing structure, and construction of a rail grade crossing separation near 21st Street South.
• Anoka County project
  • Allocates 14,100,000 for environmental analysis, design engineering, removal of an existing structure, and construction of a rail grade crossing separation at Anoka County State Aid Highway 78 (Hanson Boulevard) in Coon Rapids.
  • Allows any unspent portion of this appropriation to be used by Anoka County for design costs of other rail crossings on the commissioner's rail safety priority list.
• Red Wing project
  • Allocates 14,762,000 for right‑of‑way acquisition, environmental analysis, design engineering, removal of an existing structure, and construction of a rail grade crossing separation at Sturgeon Lake Road.
  • The bond sale authorization and appropriation for this project are available until December 31, 2024.
  • Any unspent portion after project completion may be used for grants under Minnesota statutes; any unspent portion allocated to Sturgeon Lake Road may be used for capital improvements to that road area.
• Section references
  • The sections reference and modify prior appropriations from Laws 2017 First Special Session and Laws 2020 Fifth Special Session related to rail grade separations.

Changes to Law and Effective Dates

• The bill amends prior law (Laws 2017 First Special Session and Laws 2020 Fifth Special Session) to adjust the Rail Grade Separation on Crude Oil Rail Corridors funding and usage.
• Red Wing portion (Sturgeon Lake Road) is clarified as an addition to the previous appropriation for the same purpose, with a new limit and extended availability.
• For Red Wing’s Sturgeon Lake Road project, the bill uses bond proceeds from the state transportation fund and references the relevant statutes for fund availability and use.

Unspent Funds and Reallocation

• Unspent portions of Moorhead, Anoka County, or Red Wing appropriations may be reallocated:
  • Anoka County: to other rail crossings on the rail safety priority list.
  • Red Wing: to capital improvements on Sturgeon Lake Road in the area of the rail grade separation project.
• The bill emphasizes continued use of bond proceeds for related improvements and allows extensions of deadlines for bond-related authorizations.

Significance

• Expands funding for critical rail grade separation projects to improve safety along crude oil rail corridors.
• Provides flexibility to use funds for additional rail crossings and road improvements as needs arise.
• Extends deadlines to ensure funding can be planned and executed beyond earlier timeframes.

Relevant terms - Rail grade separation - Crude oil rail corridors - Grant / appropriation - Moorhead, 21st Street South - Anoka County, Hanson Boulevard, CSAH 78, Coon Rapids - Right-of-way acquisition - Environmental analysis - Design engineering - Removal of existing structure - Construction - Sturgeon Lake Road - Red Wing - Bond proceeds account - State transportation fund - Minnesota Statutes section 174.50 - Laws 2017 First Special Session chapter 8 article 1 section 15 subdivision 4 - Laws 2020 Fifth Special Session chapter 3 article 1 section 16 subdivision 39 - Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642 - Capital improvements - Rail safety priority list