Road turnbacks authorized (new law)

A pair of road segments previously on the state’s trunk highway system will be turned over to local authorities.

Sponsored by Rep. Rob Eastlund (R-Isanti) and Sen. Rick Olseen (DFL-Harris), the law, signed April 30 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, removes two short sections of road no longer needed by the state. In both cases, local authorities have agreed to take over maintenance.

The first segment, a stretch of Trunk Highway 290 south of Walker, is an access road to the former Ah-Gwah-Ching state health care facility, which closed in 2007.

The second is a stretch of Trunk Highway 293, an access road to the former Cambridge State Hospital. The 2003 Legislature authorized the sale of a large portion of the campus land to the city, which began redevelopment plans for residential and commercial use.

Provisions in the law take effect the day after the transportation commissioner receives a copy of the respective agreements with the governing body of Cambridge and the Cass County Board chair.

Each year, the department reviews the state’s highway system to assure that each road still serves specific statewide purposes. As a result, the department recommends that some roads be turned back to local communities.

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