Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Reconstruct Robert Street in St. Paul
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $25,000,000 for the Highway 3/Robert St. project planning in St. Paul. The grant, provided through USDOT’s RAISE program, will reconstruct approximately 1.5 miles of State Highway 3, including upgrading pedestrian crossings, improving sidewalks and trails, managing speed, expanding multimodal options, rehabilitating or replacing 100-year-old retaining walls/bridge, and improving transit access. “Robert Street is a critical route in St. Paul, used by drivers, bikers, and pedestrians,” said Klobuchar. “This federal support will make this highway safer and more efficient for all travelers.” “If we’re going to build an economy that works for everyone, then we need to prioritize investments in vital infrastructure, like roads and bridges, that connect people with opportunities all across the state,” said Senator Smith. “This project will replace outdated infrastructure that is nearly 100 years old while simultaneously making Robert Street/Highway 3 safer for drivers, cyclists, transit users and pedestrians alike.” RAISE grants can be used by communities across the country for a wide variety of transportation projects with significant local or regional impact. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith supported and was signed into law in 2021, 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. ###
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Rehabilitating the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $11,200,000 for the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge. The grant, provided through USDOT’s RAISE program, will rehabilitate this historic bridge, including surface preparation and repainting, lead abatement, replacement of deteriorated sections, miscellaneous structural steel repairs, repairs to spalled and delaminated concrete, and replacement of the bridge sidewalks. It builds on the $1,500,000 in total funding secured for the Aerial Lift Bridge’s pedestrian walkways by Senators Klobuchar and Smith in Fiscal Years 2022, 2023, and 2024. “The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge is a landmark and a vital part of Duluth’s transportation system,” said Klobuchar. “It is not only a critical link for drivers, but also supports essential infrastructure such as water, sewage, natural gas, electrical, and data services, and provides ships key access to the Twin Ports. With this grant, the City of Duluth will make critical infrastructure improvements to make the Aerial Lift Bridge resilient for generations to come.” “The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge is an iconic and historic piece of infrastructure that has connected communities and supported local businesses for over a century,” said Smith. “Securing resources for projects like this is important for strengthening Minnesota’s infrastructure and economy. This funding will support the critical repairs and upgrades needed to ensure the bridge remains operational for years to come.” “The City of Duluth is thrilled to receive this $11.2 million RAISE grant from the US Department of Transportation,” said Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert. “The Aerial Lift Bridge
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Improve Chisholm Public Safety and Emergency Services Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $3.5 million in federal funding to improve Chisholm’s public safety and emergency services infrastructure. Specifically, the funding will enable the construction of a new Chisholm public safety facility that will house the city’s police and fire departments, as well as ambulance services. The current public safety facility is over a century old. “Improving public safety and emergency services infrastructure is critical to ensuring the safety of our communities,” said Klobuchar. “I’m proud to have worked with local leaders in Chisholm to secure these vital
U.S. Senator Smith’s Legislation to Strengthen Public Health Measures Takes a Key Step Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/17/22]—This week, the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed the bipartisan PREVENT Pandemics Act, which includes several important pieces of U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) public health legislation. “The COVID pandemic has further exposed the inequities and weaknesses in our public health system,” said Smith. “The PREVENT Pandemics Act would ensure we are better prepared in the future and that we have the resources to confront these challenges. I am proud we were able to include several of my bills in this package and look forward to voting on it on the Senate floor.” The
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith Secures Significant Federal Funding for Critical Senior Housing Repair in St. Peter
WASHINGTON [3.17.22] – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that she has secured $300,000 in federal funding to enable much-needed repairs for Parkview Manor, a low-income senior housing complex in St. Peter. Specifically, the project will support a new roof, proper smoke hatches, skylights, and an updated air system. “Without safe, affordable housing, nothing else in life works,” said Senator Smith. “Residents at Parkview Manor, and those in senior living across the state, deserve a high-quality, safe place to call home. I’m proud of our work to secure these resources and deliver much-needed repairs and improvements to Parkview Manor and
Klobuchar, Smith, Stauber Secure Significant Federal Funding to Strengthen Affordable Childcare Access, Support Workforce in Little Falls
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN) announced that they have secured $1.5 million in federal funding to strengthen access to affordable childcare and support parents in Little Falls returning back to work. Specifically, the funding will enable the construction of a childcare facility designed specifically to address the increasing community need for affordable, reliable childcare. Building such a facility will directly boost workforce participation in Little Falls, as lack of access to dependable, high-quality childcare has long been a primary barrier for parents in Little Falls who seek to enter
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