Contact: Doug Hecox, 202-366-0660
FHWA 20-04h

A new $400,000 Federal Highway Administration grant will help replace a bridge over Center Lake Channel in Center City, MN, and expedite construction time, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.

"Using new techniques and state-of-the-art materials, construction time will be reduced and this project will be completed faster, which saves taxpayers dollars," said Secretary Mineta. "In addition, the residents of this quickly growing Chisago County community can enjoy more quality time because of improved traffic conditions."

The grant announced today will improve safety for the Chisago Lakes Middle School students nearby, and for the 16,500 motorists who use the existing bridge daily – an amount predicted to grow to more than 25,000 daily in the next two decades, Secretary Mineta added.

The project, estimated to cost $2.9 million and to be completed by next Labor Day, will replace the aging bridge with a more durable bridge that will include five protected left turn lanes on and off Trunk Highway 8. The new bridge will add vertical clearance for recreational boaters using the Center Lake Channel, connecting North and South Center Lakes.

"The Bush Administration's investment in a new bridge for Center City represents our commitment to the safety and well-being of Minnesota's residents and visitors," said Federal Highway Administrator Mary E. Peters.

Since 1991, the FHWA has provided funds to states seeking to improve the safety, longevity or utility of key bridges with innovative materials or designs.

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