Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sherburne County says FHWA paperwork delay likely pushes Zimmerman interchange to 2027
Summary
Sherburne County public‑works staff told the Board of Commissioners the Zimmerman interchange (Highway 169/County Road 4) cannot move to advertisement until the Federal Highway Administration executes a $25 million grant agreement.
Sherburne County public‑works staff told the Board of Commissioners the Zimmerman interchange (Highway 169/County Road 4) project is ready to advertise but cannot proceed until the Federal Highway Administration finalizes a direct‑recipient grant agreement for a $25 million INFRA award.
“Unfortunately, we are still in the waiting game for FHWA to continue to process the $25,000,000 infra grant that we received,” said Andrew Witter, who presented the update. He said the county obtained categorical exclusion environmental approval and had been ready to advertise in April, but the grant agreement from the prior administration was not acceptable to the current FHWA, requiring renegotiation. Witter said FHWA has “softly, verbally committed” to have the grant agreement authorized by July 15; until then the county cannot advertise and the construction schedule is uncertain.
Witter warned that the delay is likely to push major construction into 2027 and increase costs because of construction‑cost inflation and material lead times. “It is very, very likely that it will push into 2027 at this point,” he said. He added the county has funds within the project to cover some inflation but said the additional cost is unavoidable if work is deferred. He described possible limited 2025 work such as utility relocations, smaller local road work or preparatory crossovers if materials and scheduling permit.
County staff said they are working closely with MnDOT State Aid, congressional staff and FHWA to advance the grant agreement; staff also briefed that becoming a direct recipient of USDOT funds is an unprecedented step for a Minnesota county and has required unusual administrative work. Commissioners expressed strong support for public‑works staff and said they would press congressional and FHWA contacts to accelerate the process.
There was no formal action; the board asked staff to keep the county updated in near real time and to plan public information meetings when construction phasing is clearer.
