The Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee today heard legislation authored by Senator Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) to fund a common-sense road improvement project in Winona County. Senate File 620 appropriates $1.2 million for the resurfacing of Trunk Highway 74 from north of Elba to County State-Aid Highway 30, using cost-effective Otta seal technology.  

“This project isn’t just about fixing a road, it’s about saving taxpayer dollars and improving safety,” Senator Drazkowski said. “When MnDOT first used Otta seal on Highway 74 in 2001, it paid for itself in just eight years and lasted nearly two decades before needing major repairs. That kind of durability and cost-effectiveness is exactly what government should be investing in.” 

The 11-mile stretch of Trunk Highway 74 is the only unpaved state highway in Minnesota out of roughly 12,000 highway miles. The funding in Senate File 620 will allow MnDOT to restore a portion of this road to the condition it was in before reverting to crushed rock, using a proven and effective resurfacing method that has been successfully applied to multiple highways in Winona County.  

Otta Seal is a low-cost road surfacing method developed in Norway that provides a durable and weather-resistant surface for low-traffic roads, so it is particularly useful in rural areas of Minnesota.  

It consists of a mix of graded aggregate and a soft binder. The binder is sprayed onto a road surface, followed by an application of three-quarters of an inch of aggregate, which is then compacted into place. The process is then repeated. Over time, the traffic and weather help embed the aggregate into the binder, creating a smooth, well-bound surface. Otta seal provides better resistance to wear and tear compared to gravel roads, reducing dust and maintenance needs.  

The bill was laid over and will be considered for a larger transportation bill later in session.