State plans $1.3 billion worth of transportation projects

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced its 2010 construction season, which includes 283 projects statewide to improve everything from bridges to transit facilities.

Projects include new highway construction, bridge and pavement replacement, improvements for airport runways and terminals, remodeling transit facilities and improving safety at railroad crossings. State officials say the projects will cost $1.3 billion.

Major highway construction includes a $150 million project to create a freeway at the Highway 169 and Interstate 494 junction in the Twin Cities metro area. State officials say it will reduce traffic congestion in Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Edina.

Bridge and pavement replacement on a section of Interstate 35 in Duluth is also underway, as well as lane realignment on Highway 14 in southern Minnesota.

Some of the projects scheduled for the 2010 construction season:

_ Rebuilding the Highway 52 Lafayette Bridge in St. Paul at a cost of $46 million

_ Replacing and repairing the bridge and pavement from Interstate 35 in Duluth at a cost of $70 million

_ Building a four-lane alignment and 10 bridges on Highway 14 south of Waseca at a cost of $56 million

_ Building a four-lane highway bypass, building bridges and installing lighting on Highway 23 near Paynesville at a cost of $32 million

_ Expanding Highway 71 from two to four lanes, adding turn lanes south of Bemidji and building a new bridge over Highway 2 at a cost of $13.5 million

_ Resurfacing Interstate 90 in Winona County at a cost of $15 million

A complete list of projects and construction dates can be found on the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Web site.

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