Rochester Interchange Project Wins $60 Million in State Funding

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St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - A plan to build a new separated-grade interchange at an especially dangerous intersection just west of Rochester is among eight major infrastructure projects throughout Minnesota that will receive significant funding through the state's Corridors of Commerce program.

Governor Tim Walz today announced the money will be allocated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, "We're making historic investments in our state's transportation system to improve the safety and connectivity of communities across the state," Walz said. "We depend on our roads and highways to safely get us to our jobs, education, child care, and businesses. These projects help grow our economy and support our goal of making Minnesota the best state to live, work, and grow up in - no matter where you live."

According to a news release issued by the governor's office, the planned interchange at the junction of Highway 14 and Olmsted County Road 44 between Rochester and Byron will receive $60 million.

The other projects receiving funding through the Corridors of Commerce program this year are:

• A new grade-separated interchange on Highway 13 in Burnsville- $96 million
• A lane expansion on I-94 in central Minnesota - $78 million
• A grade-separated interchange on Highway 371 at Baxter - $58 million
• A grade-separated interchange on Highway 23 at New London - $33 million
• A grade-separated interchange on Highway 65 in Blaine - $30 million
• Improvement project on Highway 53 on the Iron Range - $18 million
• A lane expansion project on Highway 10 and Coon Rapids - $8 million

The grant award through the Corridors of Commerce program should allow Olmsted County to proceed with the construction of the interchange in the near future. The County had previously received nearly $25 million in funding for planning, designing, and preparation work, including $5 million appropriated by the State Legislature through the infrastructure bill that was approved at the end of the 2023 session.