Governor Touts His Highway Improvement

A project to reconstruction Highway 371 north of Little Falls and another to widen Highway 34 through Park Rapids were projects completed with more than $900 million in transportation funds authorized by the Governor in 2003. Through this funding, the Minnesota Department of Transportation accelerated 19 major highway capital improvement, safety and preservation projects statewide over 65 years ahead of schedule.
Governor Tim Pawlenty says his administration invested more in transportation in Minnesota than any other administration in the state’s history.
$12.9 million was spent to widen Highway 34 to five lanes through Park Rapids.
$20.5 million was spent to reconstruct Highway 371 north of Little Falls to a four-lane road surface. It was completed in 2005, and improved mobility on one of the fastest growing highways in the state.
The 2003 transportation bill authorized the sale of $400 million in highway bonds, which allowed the state to access $425 million in federal funds.