DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Approve Letter Of Support To Scott County For Better Utilizing Investments To Leverage Development Grant Application For Highway 13 River, Rail, And Roads Initiative
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Board Chair to provide a letter of support to Scott County for the Highway 13 River, Rail, and Roads Initiative application to the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program.
SUMMARY
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) BUILD grant program provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. The BUILD program, previously known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grants, provide funding for surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness and opportunity, state of good repair, partnership and collaboration, and innovation. For fiscal year 2026, the BUILD program has $1,500,000,000 available for funding across the nation.
Scott County is requesting a letter of support for the Highway 13 River, Rail, and Roads Initiative application to the BUILD grant. This project will improve safety and the overall operations for commuters, freight, transit, pedestrians, and cyclists throughout the Highway 13 corridor and the over-all transportation network by converting an at-grade intersection into a grade-separated intersection.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the authorization of the Board Chair to provide a letter of support to Scott County for an application to the BUILD grant program for the Highway 13 River, Rail, and Roads Initiative.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Scott County is applying for financial assistance from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to advance the Highway 13 River, Rail, and Roads Initiative that is partially located in the City of Burnsville and Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, the USDOT is requesting project submittals for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program; and
WHEREAS, federal funding of projects reduces the burden on local taxpayers for regional improvements; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), in cooperation with Dakota and Scott Counties and the Cities of Burnsville and Savage, completed a Highway 13 Corridor Vision that includes improvements along the Highway 13 corridor between Nicollet Avenue in Burnsville and Highway 169 in Savage; and
WHEREAS, these corridor improvements include the modification of three intersections in Dakota County at Nicollet Avenue, Chowen Avenue, and Washburn Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the proposed intersection modifications along the Highway 13 corridor will improve safety and the overall operations for commuters, freight, transit, pedestrians, and cyclists throughout the transportation network; and
WHEREAS, elements of the Highway 13 River, Rail, and Roads project are included in County Project 99-028 that is included in the 2026 - 2030 Capital Improvement Programs; and
WHEREAS, project submittals were due on February 24, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby supports the Scott County-led Highway 13 River, Rail, and Roads Initiative grant application to the United States Department of Transportation for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Board Chair to submit a letter of support to the United States Department of Transportation for the Highway 13 River, Rail, and Road initiative for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant application.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: 2026 HWY 13 Letter of Support for BUILD grant
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☒ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Barry Becker