Federal grants totaling nearly $146 million will enhance transportation and infrastructure in St. Paul and the east metro area.
St. Paul: The new Amtrak Borealis train is getting a big boost with $38.6 million in federal funding. This cash will help keep the service running smoothly for the next six years. It’s part of a larger $146 million grant aimed at improving transportation and infrastructure in Minnesota.
Most of this money is headed to St. Paul and the surrounding areas. One project is a $2 million grant to study a “land bridge” over Interstate 94 in the Old Rondo neighborhood. Plus, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is set to receive $25 million to revamp 1.5 miles of Robert Street, making it more pedestrian-friendly.
There’s also $15 million for the Metropolitan Council to install 1,875 electric vehicle charging stations across the region. These grants were announced by U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum and come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021.
The Amtrak Borealis has been popular since it started running daily trips from St. Paul to Chicago in May, serving over 100,000 passengers in just five months. The funding will help keep this reliable service going.
As for Robert Street, the $25 million grant will help replace old roads and add features for pedestrians and cyclists. The current pavement is over a century old and needs serious upgrades.
Other projects include a $25 million grant for the Lower Sioux Indian Community to improve Redwood County Highway 2 and a similar amount for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa to rehab Red Lake Road.
The Met Council’s $15 million grant will focus on electric vehicle charging stations, especially in underserved areas. This aims to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and boost access to electric vehicles.
Additionally, the Hmong American Partnership in St. Paul will get $7.3 million for digital literacy training, helping immigrants with skills like cybersecurity and cloud computing.
Lastly, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will also receive $7.3 million to enhance digital literacy in their programs. The Rondo African American Cultural Enterprise District is getting $2 million for planning studies related to a future land bridge, aiming to revive the Old Rondo neighborhood.
In total, these grants are set to make a significant impact on the local community and infrastructure.
