On Tuesday, Aug. 15, State Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) joined members of the Senate Capital Investment Committee to learn more about the City of Freeport’s I-94 interchange reconstruction proposal. The group visited Freeport as part of the Committee’s Northwest Tour to learn about regional projects seeking state bonding.

Currently, there is only one bridge in Freeport to pass over I-94. There is a poor line of sight when coming from the offramp due to the high crown of the bridge, placement of the guardrail, and narrowness of the bridge. The narrow bridge also presents a hazardous passage for the heavy number of oversized vehicles and machinery that regularly use it.

“It was a privilege to have the Senate Capital Investment Committee visit Freeport and learn about the City’s proposal to improve a longstanding blind spot for drivers over the I-94 bridge crossing,” Senator Westrom said. “The proposed improvements would allow pedestrians, residential, agricultural, and commercial traffic to get to their destinations more safely. It makes sense to look at these improvements now when the bridge and freeway are already slated for maintenance construction in the coming years.”

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is planning to replace the bridge in 2028. Therefore, the City of Freeport is requesting $5,000,000 to reconfigure the interchange with 1-94 going over County Road 10. To increase the safety of this interchange, the City is also looking to lower interstate lanes to allow for a lower bridge.