Rep. Hansen and local leaders ask Legislature for study and design funds for undersized Saint Paul Park interchange

Representative Hansen introduced House File 3373 on behalf of Saint Paul Park, asking the committee to fund preliminary and final design work from the Trunk Highway Fund for the 70th Street interchange. She told the committee the existing interchange "backs up" during peak hours and that growth in Washington County has pushed truck traffic onto undersized local roads.

"This interchange backs up and has growth continues to occur in Washington County," Hansen said, adding that the original design did not anticipate current volumes and that refinery-related truck routes now overload the 70th Street ramps.

Mayor Kate Frankie of Saint Paul Park described the history and local impacts. "When they did the quarter bridge project they did not include an interchange for Saint Paul Park…now the interchange is undersized," Frankie said, urging the committee to fund a design study so the city, county and state can plan coordinated fixes. She told members that neighboring cities and Marathon refinery have sent letters of support and that the refinery may be willing to contribute land or participate in planning.

Washington County Commissioner Carla Big emphasized safety and recent crashes on Highway 61 and nearby ramps. "The highway 61 and Summit Avenue is the primary access point for the Marathon refinery," Commissioner Big said, and noted a March 28 fatality and prior ramp crashes as reasons to pursue a study.

Committee members pressed for details on prior studies and costs; witnesses described only limited, informal 'cone' or short-term studies and said a comprehensive engineering review is needed. Representative Hansen said the bill requests funding for design only and that local, county and federal partners would be brought into the process.

The committee laid House File 3373 over for further consideration and follow-up on scope, cost estimates and coordination with affected jurisdictions.