Council approves trail grant applications and backs LRIP bid for intersection project

The Marshall City Council approved multiple transportation funding actions, voting to support two Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant applications for trail work and to submit a Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) grant for an intersection reconfiguration.

Public Works staff described two TA grant candidates for 2030 funds: a trail segment from Highway 23 to Boyer with a federal request of about $307,000 and an estimated local match of roughly $77,000; and a segment along Country Club Drive from Southview Drive to South 4th Street with a federal request of about $287,000 and an estimated local match of about $72,000. The council approved separate resolutions for each segment.

Staff also proposed applying for LRIP funds to help pay for the South 4th Street/Country Club Drive intersection project, which would tie into MnDOT’s existing roundabout work. The project already has roughly $824,000 in federal local road and bridge funds; staff sought $1,000,000 in LRIP funds to reduce the burden on the city’s state-aid account. Staff told council there would be no local cost for the LRIP application; the grant deadline is this Friday. Council voted to support submitting the LRIP application.

Councilmembers asked about right-of-way and parking issues on a trail segment that touches neighborhood driveways; staff said the trail lies in the city right-of-way and that striping or other clarifications are options. Mayor noted he chairs the MN DOT Area Transportation Partnership and said he would abstain from matters that involve that partnership.