A technical glitch in the 2018 bonding bill that potentially could have delayed Highway 14 even further has been cleaned up, per an agreement between Gov. Walz and the Legislature. The technical fix was included in a small bonding bill to fund a number of wastewater improvement projects.
Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault), vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, issued the following statement:
“We can really, truly, finally celebrate: Highway 14 funding is DONE. Last year everyone was thrilled that Highway 14 was finally going to get finished, only to find out about a technical error later that put the start date in jeopardy. It was an unfortunate snag, but I’m glad it didn’t slow the project down. I promised I would get this done, and residents of Dodge, Rice, Steele, and Waseca Counties have my word that my attention and my focus on this project will not stop until I see bulldozers moving.”
House File 80 passed the Senate by a vote of 63-1 and will be sent to Gov. Walz for his signature.
The issue arose last year when the bonding bill authorized the use of Trunk Highway Bonds to fund Highway 14 and two other projects. The Minnesota Department of Transportation recommended issuing bonds for future years due to Trunk Highway Bond limits. They would then simply make the bonds available as projects became shovel ready. However, Minnesota Management and Budget guidelines would not allow the project to use the bonds necessary to begin immediately due to the language in statute.
Language in House File 80 corrects that error, allowing Highway 14 to begin as soon as possible with no delays.