Sleepy Eye City Engineer Matt Miller kneels on School Street S.W. where street and utility reconstruction is planned in 2026 and 2027. The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday supporting application for $1.5 million in Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Local Road Improvement funds.

SLEEPY EYE — Sleepy Eye City Engineer Matt Miller is hopeful a $1.5 million state fund helps finance a $2.6 million street reconstruction project set for 2026 and 2027.

The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday supporting an application for a $1.5 million Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) grant for a $2.6 million project proposed to be constructed in 2026 and 2027.

“Grant funding is competitive. We’re going up against applications from cities and counties throughout the state, but I’m hopeful,” said Miller.

He said the project has been on the City of Sleepy Eye planning list since 2020 when bids were determined to be too high.

The City of Sleepy Eye will apply for Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) funds administered by the MnDOT makes up to $1.5 million to apply for local road projects that are regionally significant, result in safety improvements, address transportation deficiencies and contribute to economic development.

The project includes street reconstruction and utility improvements on School Street S.W. from Seventh Ave. S.W. to Fourth Ave. S.W. It also includes reconstruction of Fourth Ave. S.W. from Linden St. S.W. to Water St. S.W.

The project includes sidewalks to be added on School St. adjacent to the high school football field.

Miller said the City of Sleepy Eye would be responsible for paying $1.1 million of the $2.6 million project for streets that have been patched a number of times in recent years.

Resolution approval came on a motion by City Councilor Nate Stevermer, seconded by Gary Windschitl.