Rochester airport runway among key local projects funded in state bonding bill
Minnesota’s 2020 bonding bill passed through the state legislature at last Thursday afternoon, bringing an end to months of political squabbling in the state House and officially earmarking roughly $20 million in state funds for Rochester-area infrastructure projects.
The $1.89 billion bonding bill — the largest in state history — includes $11.4 million for runway repairs and improvements at Rochester International Airport; $2.5 million for improvements to Cascade Lake Park; and $6 million for Olmsted County to revamp the Highway 14 and County Road 104 interchange just west of town.
Local lawmakers expressed their relief and support for the bill after its passing (100-34 in the House Wednesday night, 64-3 in the Senate on Thursday). In a Med City Beat online forum Thursday evening, Sen. David Senjem — the author of the Senate bill — said the process “wasn’t always pretty,” but the end result covered a massive scope of projects on the statewide and local levels.
“It’s the best bonding bill that’s ever been written, from the standpoint of the length and breadth of Minnesota [which it covers],” said Sen. Senjem. “Certainly with our local projects, putting people back to work — this is a strong, strong infrastructure bill.”
The bill had repeatedly stalled in the Minnesota House over the summer over a partisan battle regarding Gov. Walz’s emergency powers in response to Covid-19, with some GOP members refusing to pass a bonding bill as long as the governor held said powers.
That stance was dropped for the October special session, however, and when the House finally passed the bill Wednesday night, House Rep. Tina Liebling said the projects included would provide a boost to a job market in desperate need of one.
“Investing in our public infrastructure is a key responsibility of our state government. I’m pleased we were finally able to reach a resolution on this overdue capital investment bill,” said Rep. Liebling. “While we continue our response to Covid-19, the investments in this bill will create good-paying jobs at a time when too many Minnesotans are unemployed.”
Meanwhile, with state funding secured, RST executive director John Reed said the airport’s runway improvement project will begin construction in the spring. The $11.4 million in state funding makes up about 15 percent of the total project cost ($79.2 million).
“We are extremely grateful for the hard work of our legislators to get this bonding bill across the finish line,” said Reed. “Reconstructing this runway is vital to continuing to serve the needs of the critical users of RST, which range from patient travelers to cargo operators to international aircraft arrivals.”
Gov. Tim Walz still needs to give the bill his signature before funds can be distributed; that move should come in the next few days.
Isaac Jahns is a Rochester native and a 2019 graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism. He reports on politics, business and music for Med City Beat.
Cover photo courtesy RST
