(ST. PAUL) – Last Thursday, joined by Senator Mark Koran (R-North Branch), the Capital Investment Committee made a stop on their bonding tour at Cambridge City Hall. They heard presentations on two projects for the Cambridge community, including the railroad safety crossing and the expansion of Highway 95. The bonding tour has been traveling the state to see projects that have been submitted in order to determine critical needs. Next session, they will select the projects that most urgently require funding. This stop was a great opportunity to share the community’s solutions to identified challenges.

Our top priority is the rail crossing at Highway 95. It is particularly congested due to the nearby propane facility. The process requires the train to cross the highway eight times in the process of delivering the much-needed fuel for the community. Each crossing can take ten to twelve minutes. As a result, emergency response times, commuting times, and the region’s economy are negatively impacted.

In addition, MNDOT has identified that Highway 95 should be expanded from two lanes to four lanes through the city of Cambridge. $6 million is needed to expand this designated length of the highway. The city has proactively completed essential engineering and planning, acquiring right of ways to make this project shovel ready.

“I am concerned for the safety of our community and the health of our economy,” said Senator Koran. “The people of Cambridge and surrounding areas need this taken care of. The presentations thoroughly demonstrated our request to the committee, and I will continue to advocate for the funding we need to get this critical project completed.”