HF5027

Purpose

This bill funds improvements at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Washington County State Aid Highway 32 in Forest Lake. It aims to improve safety, accessibility, and overall traffic flow at that location, including the addition of a roundabout.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of 5,500,000 from the bond proceeds account in the trunk highway fund to the commissioner of transportation.
• Authorized uses of the money: preliminary design, final design engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of the intersection improvements (at 11th Avenue in Forest Lake), including a roundabout and related safety and traffic operations improvements.
• Bond financing: The commissioner of management and budget shall sell and issue up to 5,500,000 in state bonds to fund the appropriation, using the process required by statute and the state constitution, at times and in amounts requested by the commissioner of transportation.
• bond proceeds handling: Proceeds of the bonds, excluding accrued interest and any premium, must be deposited into the bond proceeds account in the trunk highway fund.

Project Location and Scope

• Location: Intersection of marked U.S. Highway 61 and Washington County State Aid Highway 32 (11th Avenue), Forest Lake.
• Scope: Design and construction work for the intersection, including a roundabout, plus related improvements to address safety, accessibility, and traffic operations.

Financial and Legal Details

• Funding source: Bond proceeds account in the trunk highway fund.
• Bond authority: Issued under Minnesota statutes 167.50 to 167.52 and Article XIV, Section 11 of the Minnesota Constitution.
• Oversight: Transportation department leads the project; the budget department handles the bond sale process.

Significance

• Represents a targeted capital investment funded by state bonds to improve a specific highway intersection.
• Establishes a formal financing mechanism for the project and directs how bond proceeds are to be managed.

Relevant Terms - U.S. Highway 61 - Washington County State Aid Highway 32 - Forest Lake - 11th Avenue - roundabout - safety, accessibility, traffic operations - bond proceeds account - trunk highway fund - preliminary design - final design engineering - right-of-way acquisition - construction - bond sale - Minnesota Statutes 167.50 to 167.52 - Minnesota Constitution Article XIV, Section 11 - commissioner of transportation - commissioner of management and budget - proceeds (accrued interest, premium)