WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced two grants for Tribal communities in Minnesota to make several sections of highway safer and more accessible for travelers.
“Rebuilding our infrastructure is critical for families, workers, and businesses everywhere–including in Tribal communities like Lower Sioux Indian Community and Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “These infrastructure projects will create good jobs, support new businesses, and make traveling safer for drivers and pedestrians.”
“If we’re going to build an economy that works for everyone, then we need to prioritize investments in vital infrastructure, like highways, that connect people with opportunities all across the state,” said Sen. Smith. “This federal grant will help improve safety on County State Aid Highway 2 and Minnesota State Highway 1, so that members of Lower Sioux and Red Lake Nation can get where they need to go safely. It’s great to see this significant federal investment and I’m going to keep fighting to bring federal dollars back to Minnesota.”
Two Tribal Communities received grants:
- Lower Sioux Indian Community will use a $25 million grant to reconstruct approximately ten miles of County State Aid Highway 2, construct a shared-use path, and construct an electric vehicle charging station.
- Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians will use a $25 million grant to reconstruct approximately 1.2 miles of Minnesota State Highway 1, rehabilitate 4 miles of existing pavement on Walking Shield Road, and extend Walking Shield Road 5.6 miles to the east. Approximately 11 miles of shared use paths will also be constructed. Other improvements include widened shoulders, sidewalks, installation of street lighting, access improvements, cultural elements, culvert replacements, new guardrail, intersection enhancements including a new roundabout, and stormwater and drainage improvements.
The grants were distributed as part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Program within the Department of Transportation. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith supported, delivered a 50 percent increase in the amount of available funding for RAISE, which provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact.
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