St. Paul, MN - Today, Governor Tim Walz announced that the Highway 14: Nicollet to New Ulm Mobility and Safety Improvement Project was the recipient of a $22 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. State Representative Jeff Brand (DFL - St. Peter), whose district contains the dangerous stretch of road, welcomed the much-needed investment.
“For too long our community has been home to one of the deadliest highways in the state,” said Rep. Brand. “Today’s news is a victory for the tireless advocates and a testament to the determination of the folks at the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s District 7, who refused to let this opportunity pass us by. My hope is that this investment will soon be joined by additional federal funds, and that a safe and expanded Highway 14 will soon provide dependable transportation for our region.”
Earlier this year, legislation authored by Rep. Brand passed the Minnesota Legislature, allowing the state to apply for a federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan, which would add additional funds to the Highway 14 project.