Blooming Prairie seeks $3.9M for Trunk Highway 218 contamination remediation

The House Capital Investment Committee of the Minnesota Legislature convened on April 3, 2025, to discuss critical funding for infrastructure improvements in Blooming Prairie. The primary focus of the meeting was an appropriation request of $3.9 million for the Trunk Highway 218 utility and contamination remediation project.

Brett Grabow, the city engineer for Blooming Prairie, presented the case for the funding, highlighting the urgent need for a full reconstruction of Trunk Highway 218, which runs through the city. Grabow explained that the highway has been in disrepair, with previous improvements made to sections north and south of Blooming Prairie. The project has been in the planning stages since 2018, with a preliminary design phase initiated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in 2020.

A significant concern raised during the discussion was the discovery of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) in the soil and groundwater along the highway corridor. Grabow noted that the contamination, stemming from local industries, poses a public health risk, particularly as the city plans to replace its water distribution and sanitary sewer systems. The city has been advised by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) that any excavation related to these utilities would require the city to manage the contamination.

The project entails excavating approximately 20,500 cubic yards of contaminated material, which will need to be disposed of properly. Additionally, groundwater must be pumped and treated before installation of the new utilities can proceed. Grabow emphasized that the financial burden of this project exceeds the city's bonding capacity, which stands at just over $3.6 million, making state funding essential to address these public health concerns.

The committee's discussion underscored the importance of state support for local infrastructure projects, particularly those that involve environmental remediation and public health. The request for funding will be considered further as the committee evaluates the broader implications for communities facing similar challenges across Minnesota.