HF5120

Purpose

Provide funding to improve a segment of Welk Drive in Faribault County to support the expansion of an industrial park near Blue Earth by enabling design and construction of the roadway.

Main Provisions

• Appropriates $1,800,000 from the bond proceeds account in the state transportation fund to the commissioner of transportation. This money is for a grant to Faribault County to design and construct improvements to Welk Drive (Faribault County StateAid Highway 63) between Faribault County StateAid Highway 16 and the city boundary.
• The improvements are intended to accommodate an expansion of an industrial park adjacent to the project area in the city of Blue Earth.
• Authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds in an amount up to $1,800,000 to fund the appropriation, under existing bond laws and constitutional provisions (Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and Minnesota Constitution Article XI, Sections 4–7).

Funding and Bonding Details

• Funding source: bond proceeds account in the state transportation fund.
• Oversight and administration: the commissioner of transportation provides the grant to Faribault County; the commissioner of management and budget is responsible for selling and issuing the bonds.

Location and Project Details

• Project location: Welk Drive, Faribault County StateAid Highway 63W, from Faribault County StateAid Highway 16 to the city boundary of Blue Earth.
• Project purpose: to support the expansion of an adjacent industrial park by improving access and infrastructure.

Administrative and Oversight

• Implementing agency: Minnesota Department of Transportation (to administer the grant to Faribault County).
• Bond management: Minnesota Management and Budget will handle the sale and issuance of the bonds.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill does not alter transportation funding formulas or statutes. It creates a new funding appropriation and bond authorization specifically for Welk Drive improvements to support industrial park expansion, using existing bond and funding authorities.

Note on Scope

• The action is strictly funding-related (appropriation and bonding) for a local transportation project and does not create new statewide transportation policy or programs beyond the described financing.

Relevant Terms - Welk Drive - Faribault County StateAid Highway 63 - Faribault County StateAid Highway 16 - City of Blue Earth - Industrial park expansion - Grant to Faribault County - Design and construction - State transportation fund - Bond proceeds account - Minnesota Statutes 174.50 - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI, Sections 4–7 - Commissioner of Transportation - Commissioner of Management and Budget - Capital investment funding