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Rushford Village advised to delay MN DOT infrastructure application for Safe Routes to School
Summary
CEDA staff and engineers told the council that while design work for a Safe Routes to School project is complete, preliminary engineering and background items remain; they recommended delaying the MN DOT infrastructure application and reapplying in 2026 to avoid risking a project change that could affect approval.
CEDA representative Rebecca Charles told the Rushford Village council on Dec. 3 that the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) design grant produced useful work but that moving immediately into an MN DOT infrastructure application may be premature.
Charles said items the grant applicant expected to be supplied through the program were not included, and that additional preliminary engineering and background tasks are needed before an infrastructure grant application can be finalized. She and engineer Derek Olinger of Bolton & Menk recommended postponing the application to allow time to determine engineering costs and complete required background work; they noted the project could be refiled in 2026.
Councilmember Mike Ebner noted the final design now includes guardrails and that the village would be responsible for maintenance and snow removal, adding uncertain ongoing costs. Charles said the completed design work will reduce local workload if and when the infrastructure phase moves forward, but advised a slower timeline so unresolved items can be addressed.
The council took no vote to submit the infrastructure application at the meeting. CEDA and Bolton & Menk will meet after the new year to outline next steps and the council will consider grant timing along with other priorities when the comprehensive plan draft is ready.
