End of Session Recap: Rep. Dennis Smith
Republican lawmaker Representative Dennis Smith of Maple Grove cites funding for an interchange at Brockton Lane in Dayton among the local wins from this past legislative session.
$13 million is currently in the bonding bill for the Brockton Lane interchange along Interstate 94.
“It’s the longest stretch of freeway where there’s no exit and it’s in between Maple Grove and Rogers,” says Smith. “It would have a great economic impact on the cities of Maple Grove, Dayton and Rogers and really help out with the congestion. We have a traffic problem in our area, and that will really help out. It will connect with auxiliary lanes to Highway 610 as well.”
Rep. Dennis Smith (R-Maple Grove) Recaps the Session
Smith also highlights the $9 million in the bonding bill that will go toward safety improvements and additional turn lanes at the Highway 169 and 101st interchange in Brooklyn Park.
That’s assuming neither the Brockton Lane interchange or the 169/101 interchange get a veto by the governor.
There is a bill that Smith authored that already passed. It revolves around remote notaries. It would allow an online process for anyone needing to sign a legal document in the presence of a notary.
Looking ahead to next session, Smith says fully connecting Highway 610 to I-94 is a top priority. Right now, Highway 610 is about 25 percent connected.
“There’s one exit and one entrance, but you need to be going the right direction or it’s really not helpful,” says Smith. “In fact, it’s caused more traffic problems after the 25 percent completion than before it was completed. It’s drawing traffic, and the system is just not ready for that much traffic, which is why we need to fully connect 94 to 610.”
Smith says six more turn lanes are needed to fully connect Highway 610 to I-94.
Coming up on Friday, we’ll hear from DFL State Senator John Hoffman of Champlin on his review of the legislative session.
