Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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DFL Gov. Mark Dayton announced 13 highway improvement projects today that will get earlier attention through a special funding initiative.

The projects represent $70 million from the Corridors of Commerce program, which is aimed at adding capacity for freight movement in key locations. Seven of projects are in rural Minnesota and six are in the Twin Cities.

During a news conference, Dayton stressed that more investments are needed in the coming years to address an estimated $6 billion in transportation needs.

“To do what’s really needed will require everyone to pitch together and put politics aside and really come down to a shared view of what we want our state to look like, especially for our children and our grandchildren,” Dayton said.

Dayton, who’s running for re-election, said he had nothing to do with selecting the projects or the timing of the announcement. He said MnDOT officials made those decisions.

State transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle highlighted the $45 million included for improvements to Highway 371 between Nisswa and Jenkins. He said the money for that project came through efficiencies and other costs savings within MnDOT.

“Efficiency gets us to a certain point, and we’re committed to doing that,” Zelle said. “But to get to the next step over the next 10 years requires some really I think, non-partisan thought about how we move forward.”

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Tim Pugmire

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The projects are funded through efficiencies and other costs savings within MnDOT.

Dayton announces 13 road projects

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