Quarterly Newsletter | Autumn 2023

Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) Staff has submitted the final Safe Routes To School (SRTS) plan for Pequot Lakes. The plan was presented and approved by the Pequot Lakes School Board and the Pequot Lakes City Council in July and August respectively. Additionally, staff plans to request time on the city council agendas of Breezy Point to provide that community the opportunity to adopt the plan as well.

During the Pequot Lakes SRTS planning process, an opportunity for early implementation came about through MnDOT, whereby MnDOT would provide $5,000 for bike racks. These bike racks have been purchased, received, and installed! It is anticipated that the SRTS plan will be a catalyst for several more substantial bike/pedestrian infrastructure improvement projects serving both communities and students in the Pequot School District. 

If you are interested in applying for the Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Grant Program, the letter of intent is now open, with a submittal deadline of November 9, 2023. Application will open November 27, 2023 and close February 2, 2024. Learn more at https://www.dot.state.mn.us/saferoutes/infrastructure-grants.html

The Transportation Alternatives Solicitation is a competitive grant opportunity for local communities and regional agencies to fund projects for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, historic preservation, Safe Routes to School and more. Minnesota will be soliciting projects for approximately $12.5 million in available grant funding across the state where the total is sub-targeted to the seven area transportation partnerships.

In for Region Five communities there alone there is $1.6 million in available grant funding across a 14 county area. Letters of intent are due on November 3^rd for this annual solicitation. Contact Tad Erickson for more information. Or find more info at: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/ta/

MnDOT has hired consultant Bolton and Menk to conduct a corridor study from Nisswa to Baxter along Trunk Highway 371. A technical advisory committee (TAC) meets regularly, and they have held a kickoff meeting, a bus tour, several open houses, and several TAC Meetings. The timeline for this project is as follows:

• July-September 2023: Gather input on existing conditions and identify issues and opportunities.
• January-April 2024: Present concepts that were developed using the information from Phase 1 and seek feedback from the public on what they like and do not like about the concept designs.
• June – September 2024: Present draft plan with refined and preferred concept based on feedback from Phase 2

Comment on the Draft State Highway Investment Plan

The draft 20-Year Minnesota State Highway Investment Plan is available for public comment. During the first two rounds of public engagement for the plan, Minnesota state highway users provided their priorities for spending on the state highway system over the next 20 years and gave their feedback on the draft investment direction. MnDOT used that information to revise the investment direction and develop the draft plan.

Through November 8th, we are inviting public comments on the draft plan.

There are several other ways to participate:

• Comment on the plan at minnesotago.org or email comments to dot@state.mn.us
• Request an engaging presentation for your organization
• Follow MnDOT’s social media accounts for posts about MnSHIP and share the posts with your followers
• Sign up for email updates
• and help spread the word!

If you have specific questions about the plan update, please contact:

Brad Utecht

Project Director

651-366-4835

Bradley.Utecht@state.mn.us