SF4261

Purpose

• Authorizes a funding and debt-financing plan to improve a specific road corridor in Cook County: the Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of funds:
  • $10,000,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of transportation.
  • The money is for a grant to Cook County to design, engineer, construct, and reconstruct capital-improvement projects along the northwesternmost ten miles of the Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway, ending at Trails End Campground.
• Scope of work (cov ered in Subdivision 1):
  • Resurfacing approximately ten miles of roadway that are in failing condition.
  • Beginning about 46 miles north of Grand Marais, at the intersection with United States Forest Service Road 1347, and ending at Trails End Campground.
  • Replacement of up to 16 deteriorated culverts along the corridor.
  • Construction of up to four bridges.
  • Maintaining and improving reliable emergency access for residents and visitors.
  • Other related improvements necessary to preserve reliable access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest, and related recreational areas.
• Bond financing (Subdivison 2):
  • The state shall sell and issue bonds up to $10,000,000 to fund the appropriation.
  • Bond issuance must follow the terms and effects prescribed by Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and by the Minnesota Constitution, Article XI, sections 4 to 7.

Significance and Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new capital investment project and a dedicated funding mechanism (bond proceeds fund) for Gunflint Trail improvements in Cook County.
• Establishes debt authority to finance the project (up to $10 million) under existing state bond statutes and constitutional provisions.
• Adds implementation responsibilities for the Department of Transportation (grant recipient) and the Department of Management and Budget (bond issuer) within the existing state finance framework.

Implementation and Oversight (implicit)

• The project will be carried out as a grant to Cook County, with the state managing the bond sale and the county administering the design, engineering, construction, and related improvements.

Relevant Terms - Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway - Cook County - capital investment appropriation - grant - design, engineer, construct, reconstruct - improvements and betterments of a capital nature - resurfacing - paving/roadway conditions (approximate ten miles) - culverts (up to 16) - bridges (up to four) - emergency access - Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness - Superior National Forest - Trails End Campground - United States Forest Service Road 1347 - bond proceeds fund - bonds / bond sale - up to $10,000,000 - Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7