[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz announced today that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) was awarded a $25 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant from the United States Department of Transportation to fund bridge improvements on I-90 in Austin, Minnesota.

“When we invest in Minnesota’s roads and bridges, we invest in Minnesota’s economy, safety, and livability,” said Governor Walz. “I am grateful for this federal partnership and their decision to award funding to a critical piece of infrastructure in southern Minnesota. This investment marks another step forward to ensure our transportation system is safe, accessible, and reliable for all Minnesotans across our state.”

“I-90 is an important transportation route across southern Minnesota,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “We’re grateful to our federal partners for continued investments in modernizing Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure. This INFRA grant will help MnDOT repair and replace bridges, construct ADA accessible sidewalks and trails, replace stormwater infrastructure, and construct ADA accessible bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the Austin area – all aligning with our agency goals of equitable transportation, improved safety, and climate action.”

I-90 was built in the 1950s and connects communities across southern Minnesota to the nation. Many structures along the interstate are at the end of their design life and need to be updated to modern safety and design standards. MnDOT is scheduled to begin construction on the I-90 Bridge projects in 2024 and the total project cost is estimated at $40 – 50 million.

The INFRA Grants program , provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, awards competitive grants for multimodal freight and highway projects of national or regional significance to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of freight and people in and across rural and urban areas. Minnesota is also receiving a $10 million grant to Carver County to expand five miles of Hwy 212 from two to four lanes, improving safety and freight mobility. A full list of 2022 grant awardees can be found here.