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Transportation proposal would aid small cities

House OKs

by 76-54 vote

ST. PAUL — A road and bridge proposal that would provide $6 billion to state road and bridge needs over the next decade without raising taxes was recently approved by the Minnesota House by a vote of 76-54.

Sponsored by Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska), the legislation would use existing resources and a piece of the $1.6 billion budget surplus.

In addition, the proposal creates a new fund of existing tax revenue streams called the Transportation Priorities Fund, which uses current, transportation-related state tax revenues to make new roads and bridges.

Additionally, the transportation proposal would permanently fund the Small Cities Assistance Program, which provides a state revenue stream to cities with less than 5,000 residents so they can make needed street repairs.

The City of Sleepy Eye would receive $43,853 for street repairs under the proposal. Springfield would get $31,082; Comfrey $11,703; Hanska $11,129; Evan $8,799; and Cobden $6,614.

In Renville County, Franklin would get $12,227 and Morton $11,624.

In Redwood County, Walnut Grove would receive $15,730; Lamberton $15,560; Morgan $15,323; Wabasso $14,109; Sanborn $11,277; Vesta $10,905; Milroy $10,485; Belview $10,397; Lucan $9,067; Wanda $8,879; Seaforth $8,467; Revere $8,140; Clements $7,806; and Delhi $7,333.

In Sibley County, Gaylord would get $32,396; Arlington $30,666; Winthrop $22,884; Henderson $17,997; Gibbon $15,758; Green Isle $14,139; and New Auburn $13,048.

Torkelson said that by 2021, Brown and Redwood Counties are estimated to each receive $2 million more in County State Aid Highway funding than their 2017 allotment. In addition, Renville County is expected to receive more than $2.3 million in County State Aid Highway funding.

If the House transportation finance proposal becomes law, 11 area bridges on the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) local bridge priority list would be replaced, according to a news release from Torkelson’s office.

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