Klobuchar, Franken Announce $10 Million for Highway 10 Improvements

Press Release

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken today announced $10 million to upgrade infrastructure and improve safety at the Highway 10/Armstrong Boulevard (CSAH 83) intersection. The funding will be used to construct an interchange, build an overpass over railway tracks, widen the corridor, and construct a pedestrian walkway. Construction of the interchange and overpass will improve traffic operations and eliminate delays to train blockage of crossings. The proposed project will also provide a pedestrian walkway so that pedestrians will no longer need to walk across the highway. Since 2003, twelve pedestrians have died trying to cross Highway 10 between the cities of Anoka and Ramsey.

"I have met with community members who have experienced long traffic delays on Highway 10, lost business opportunities because of its poor infrastructure, and have even been stuck on one side of town for hours when the railroad arm was down and there was no overpass nearby," Klobuchar said. "I have fought hard to fix this situation, and I am glad this much-needed support will bring the intersection in line with the 21st-century infrastructure network that our 21st-century economy demands."

"This interchange will do everything you want from infrastructure investment-it will create jobs, attract economic development, upgrade mobility in the region, and improve public safety," Franken said. "I've met with local leaders about this project and heard the need for federal funding, and that's why I urged the Department of Transportation to award this grant."

Klobuchar has consistently urged the Department of Transportation to support this critical project. She spoke with Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx in June about the importance of Highway 10 at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing. She has sent repeated letters to the Department of Transportation asking for the $10 million grant. She also spoke with Ray LaHood when he was U.S. Secretary of Transportation about the need for funding improvements on Highway 10 and asked Foxx about Highway 10 during his congressional nomination hearing.

Last year, Sen. Franken hosted a roundtable discussion in Ramsey with local business owners and law enforcement officers to build support for this interchange. He has repeatedly urged the Department of Transportation to award funding for this project, and specifically wrote a letter of support for this grant application.

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