SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee heard House File 1359, authored by Rep. Kaela Berg (DFL - Burnsville). The bill invests $44.5 million in the Highway 13 and Nicollet Avenue interchange in Burnsville, funding the remaining budget gap the city needs to complete the project. $15.6 million has already been secured from the City of Burnsville, Dakota County, the Metropolitan Council, and federal funds.
“Burnsville and South Metro residents and guests to our city deserve safety on our roads,” said Rep Berg. “Highway 13 and Nicollet Avenue is one of the busiest and most dangerous intersections in Burnsville. Nicollet is home to apartment buildings, businesses, the Orange Line, and the transit station, and this intersection is just up the highway from Burnsville High School and the I-35W exchange. Residents, visitors, students, and businesses are going to use this intersection, and they deserve it to be as safe as possible. This project is a big win for our neighbors and region, and I’m proud to usher it through the legislature.”
“The Highway 13 and Nicollet Avenue intersection today is plagued with serious crashes, high levels of traffic congestion, including the transit vehicle accessing regional hubs, long waits for crossing local traffic, and stressful and dangerous crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz. “This intersection is considered both extremely dangerous and one of the most important for transit access in the metropolitan region.”
From 2016 to 2020, the area saw 104 crashes - 2.6 times the statewide average. Since June 2022, there have been three pedestrian crashes with two fatalities and one serious injury.
The Senate’s companion bill is moving through its committees. Video of the committee hearing will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube Channel.
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