WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $19.9 million in federal funding, provided through USDOT’s RAISE grant program, to help construct the new 6th Street Bridge in Rochester. This new bridge will help spur economic growth in downtown Rochester by alleviating traffic congestion, improving connectivity, and boosting safety and accessibility.
“Investments in our infrastructure serve as down payments on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will enable the long-discussed construction of the 6th Street Bridge, which will strengthen downtown Rochester’s economy by helping reduce traffic and improve transit connectivity in one of our state’s fastest growing cities. With this new bridge, Rochester residents will be able to more safely and conveniently access work, school, and other destinations.”
“Increasing accessibility while improving pedestrian safety is a worthwhile investment. A lot of hard work has gone into this project by city leaders and I’m glad we’re able to be a partner at the federal level,” said Smith. “This will establish a new connecting point across the Zumbro River, lessen traffic, and make it easier for people to enjoy downtown Rochester. The prioritization of bicycle and pedestrian use, enhancing safety, and creating new areas for community gatherings make this more than just an investment in infrastructure; it’s an investment in everyone who lives in the city.”
These resources will allow Rochester to build a new bridge along 6th Street, two pedestrian walkways on 6th Street SW and 6th Street SE, a pedestrian trail on the Zumbro River’s west bank, and improve the walkway connection between 6th Street SE to the Zumbro River Trail.
RAISE grants can be used by communities across the country for a wide variety of projects with significant local or regional impact. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Klobuchar and Smith supported and was signed into law last year, delivered a 50 percent increase in the amount of available funding for the RAISE grants, as well as resources for improving the state’s roads, bridges, public transportation, and water infrastructure.
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