Federal funds designated for Highway 212 corridor

Minnesota has received additional federal highway funds designated for improvements to highways that are important freight corridors and some of that funding will be used locally on U.S. Highway 212.
A new National Highway Freight Program was created under legislation passed in 2015 authorizing federal highway dollars. The program is focused on improving the efficient movement of freight on highways of national significance. Truck traffic on Highway 212 is significant and growing. The current roadway design – with two remaining two-lane segments – cannot handle the growth in truck and passenger vehicle traffic that is occurring. Plans to complete the highway to a continuous four-lane corridor from Chaska to Norwood Young America have been waiting for construction dollars. This latest round of funding will be helpful in leveraging other dollars for needed safety and mobility improvements in the corridor.
“Highway 212 is a lifeline for residents and businesses in our area,” said Carver County Commissioner Randy Maluchnik. “It’s also a key connection for farm to market shipments and freight movement all the way to the South Dakota border. Improving freight flow in this corridor will improve our state’s economy as well as our quality of life here in Carver County.”
Minnesota received close to $100 million in federal freight program funds which will be distributed to 19 projects in the state. Carver County will receive $15 million which will be combined with other state and local dollars for improvements to U.S. Highway 212 between Chaska and Cologne. The $15 million in federal funds will be made available in 2022.