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Committee corrects funding direction for Scott County interchange, adopts pedestrian-lighting clarification
Summary
House File 202 was advanced to the General Register with an A2 amendment that redirects a previously allocated general-fund appropriation for an interchange to MnDOT and clarifies that a pedestrian bridge can be lit; MnDOT raised minor traffic-safety concerns about additional roadside lighting.
ST. PAUL — Lawmakers on the House Transportation Committee on Monday advanced House File 202, a technical correction that redirects a general-fund appropriation for the 169/2802 interchange from Scott County to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) so MnDOT can lead project cash flow.
Representative Baeckburg, the bill’s sponsor, said the change is necessary because MnDOT is now managing the project and “Scott County would be faced with a cash flow issue of $4,900,000 for 2 years until the completion of the project, when we could seek reimbursement after construction.” He said the item had been missed in a previous technical-correction bill and noted a corresponding $4.2 million trunk-highway allocation had already been adjusted by MnDOT.
The committee also considered and adopted an A2 amendment requested by the city of Shakopee. Representative Tabke said the amendment clarifies the project’s pedestrian bridge “can be lit,” and that the work remaining to make the lighting functional was minimal: “It’s literally 3 wires that need to be connected,” Tabke said; the amendment was described as carrying no cost to the transportation committee.
Eric Rudine of MnDOT’s government affairs office testified in support of the project but flagged a traffic-safety concern about additional roadside lighting. “Although I wouldn't characterize this as a major traffic safety concern, ... if the lights are too bright, they could be distracting to motorists,” Rudine told the committee, adding that the department prefers traffic signs that direct and inform motorists rather than roadside distractions.
With the A2 amendment adopted, the committee moved House File 202 to the General Register by voice vote.
Why it matters: The change avoids creating a short-term cash-flow burden for Scott County by sending the appropriation to the agency leading construction and clarifies local expectations and design around a pedestrian bridge and its lighting.
Action: House File 202 as amended was moved to the General Register (voice vote).
