State Senate bonding committee makes stop in Dodge Center

Members of the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee made a stop in Dodge Center last week as they visited cities throughout southeastern Minnesota. The committee members were in the midst of a multi-day day tour of Minnesota communities that have requested their projects be considered by the state when the legislature reconvenes in 2024.
The committee was welcomed to Dodge Center by Sen. Carla Nelson, who represents Dodge County and portion of Olmsted County and has served on the bonding committee since she arrived in the Senate in 2011. The project, she said, involves not only road but also public safety issues.
Dodge Center officials have requested more than $2 million from the state for the Northeast Improvement Project.
In Dodge Center, the city requested more than $2 million for their northeast improvement project.
City Administrator Lee Mattson told committee members the funds would be used for repairs on Airport Drive and North Street. The money would go toward repairs for both Airport Drive and North Street. Both roads, he said, have been in poor condition for years and are continuing to deteriorate.
Officials say the roads in northeast Dodge Center have been in poor condition for many years.
The project area, Mattson said, includes both Dodge Center and Wasioja Township and involves just under two miles of roads. The project is needed, he said, because of the safety issues, road condition, improved storm water management, access to existing neighborhoods and businesses, ambulance and public safety service, and economic development of Dodge Center.
The roads are in such bad condition, he said, that some businesses have been advised they should not use them with their heavy-duty vehicles.
The bonding request to the state is projected to be $1,800,000. Airport Drive work is projected at $1,161,574, and North Street at $1,097,599. The city is projecting its share at $459,173, however Wasioja Township has no resources to help with the project.
In addition to the Dodge Center project, senators visited Stewartville where officials are requesting $3 million for help with street paving and storm drainage improvements and three projects in Rochester. The airport is requesting funding for the runway and a solar array, the Riverfront Public Realm and Redevelopment project and park and ride, and Resource Recovery and Carbon Capture for Olmsted County.
The Legislature will reconvene at noon on February 12, 2024. Bonding bills, which involve funding for public infrastructure projrcts, are traditionally the highlight of legislative sessions in even-numbered years.