The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Governor Tim Walz recently shared that the Corridors of Commerce program will allocate $380 million to fund eight new infrastructure projects throughout Minnesota. This includes $8 million for the Highway 10 lane expansion from Hanson Boulevard (CSAH 78) to Round Lake Boulevard (CSAH 9) in Coon Rapids. During the 2023 legislative session, Senators Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) and Cal Bahr (R-East Bethel) co-authored legislation and secured $30 million for this project.

“Increasing the safety of Minnesota’s transportation system has always been a priority of mine,” Senator Abeler said.“I am thrilled to see our community secure additional funding for the Highway 10 expansion project. This additional lane will meaningfully lower local traffic congestion and increase safety for motorists. Thank you to the community leaders for your years of hard work and dedication to seeing this project through to the end.”

According to the City of Coon Rapids, Anoka County engineers have designed the project and MnDOT now needs to approve the deal before construction begins. This project will add a third lane in each direction, and once complete, the expansion will reduce congestion and improve safety for motorists. 

“In recent years, Highway 10 through our community of Coon Rapids has seen a substantial increase in traffic,” Senator Bahr said. “This highway can no longer serve the tens of thousands of motorists who travel this stretch every day. With the completion of this project, motorists will soon be able to get to their destination in a much safer and quicker manner. Less time on the road, and a little more time with family and friends.”

The Minnesota Legislature has provided $403 million in funding for the fourth round of Corridors of Commerce appropriations. The legislature previously approved $250 million in 2021 and $153 million in 2023. From the current round of funding, $22 million will be set aside for project readiness activities for potential future Corridors of Commerce candidate projects.

The Minnesota Legislature established the Corridors of Commerce in 2013 to direct transportation investments toward state highway projects that directly and indirectly promote economic development in the state. The program is separate from MnDOT’s regular State Road Construction program, and funding is contingent on legislative appropriation and requires specific criteria for project eligibility and scoring.