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Freeborn County backs Songbird Trail grant, files companion application for $4.5M bridge
Summary
The board approved support for Albert Lea's $900,000 Transportation Alternatives grant for a Songbird Trail segment (2030 grant horizon) and authorized a county companion application seeking funds for a $4.5M bridge to close a critical gap; both actions require local matching funds and coordination with MnDOT.
The Freeborn County Board approved a resolution supporting the City of Albert Lea’s Transportation Alternatives grant application for a segment of the Songbird Trail and authorized a companion county application seeking funding for a bridge over Trunk Highway 13.
Public Works staff described the city’s $900,000 project (a future segment that would connect Madison Avenue to Fountain Street and requires a 20% local match) and explained that federal grant program horizons frequently reach to 2030 given environmental reviews and project development timelines. Commissioners discussed sequencing and grant nuances, including why the city is applying for a specific segment rather than a continuous stretch of trail.
County staff also proposed a companion, county‑sponsored application to apply for a portion of the $2.1M available in Transportation Alternatives funds allocated to southeastern Minnesota for 2030. The county’s companion application would request assistance to build a $4.5M bridge over Trunk Highway 13 to close a critical trail gap; staff said the county is coordinating with MnDOT and intends the two applications to be cooperative rather than competitive.
Commissioners approved the support resolution for the city and authorized the county application. Public Works noted the project will require local matching funds, further engineering and environmental review, and multi‑year project planning.
