Local Lawmakers Once Again Push for Highway 610 Funding, Infrastructure

At the start of the legislative session, local lawmakers are optimistic projects like finishing Highway 610 or infrastructure projects at North Hennepin Community College can receive funding.

Highway 610 connection

When Highway 610 opened in late 2016, excitement was short-lived as the lack of an interchange with I-94 started causing a headache for drivers. During rush hour or when more drivers head north, traffic sometimes slows to a stop.

“I don’t need to explain that to people back home,” said Republican Representative Dennis Smith, of Maple Grove. “We need to complete Highway 610. It’s been 44 years in the making. It’s partially connected, but it’s creating massive traffic delays with the new connection.”

Tuesday night the Maple Grove city council passed a resolution supporting the connection and possibly more lanes on I-94 to improve traffic flow.

Improvements at North Hennepin Community College

North Hennepin Community College also hopes to receive money through the bonding bill.  They need new windows, new boilers and more improvements to the heating and cooling systems. The improvements come with a price tag of more than two million dollars.

“The request was in the neighborhood of $100 million for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, but that’s roof repair, sidewalk repair, HVAC, anything you have to do to maintain college and university buildings,” said DFL Representative Lyndon Carlson of Crystal.

Maple Grove