The U.S. Department of Transportation is lending Nicollet County, Minn., $48.2 million that will help pay for improving the safety of Highway 14.
Projects for Highway 14 include creating a new interchange, safer intersections, new turn lanes, according to a DEc. 6 news release. Other elements of the plan include the replacement of three bridges, the construction of two new bridges, safety improvements and modernizations, including the installation of improved lighting, intelligent transportation systems and a snow fence. All are scheduled to be completed in 2024.
"I am pleased to see our partners in Minnesota have successfully closed their first loan under our TIFIA Program, which will help them deliver much-needed improvements sooner and cheaper at a very low financing cost," Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajian said in the release.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law offers funding to address safety, especially in rural areas, where a particularly high number of traffic injuries and fatalities occur. Despite a 30-year decline in roadway fatalities, National Roadway Safety Strategy research says there's a recent uptick. Compared to 2019, fatalities have increased by 7.2%.
The loan is part of the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act designed to help local governments and other entities with highway and other transit projects, according to the program overview.
