Grants: Minnesota Highway Freight Program Solicitation

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MnDOT seeks applicants for Minnesota Highway Freight Program funding

$64 million available for local road, rail, ports, intermodal and air freight projects

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota cities, counties, ports, waterways, railroads and airports, as well as Tribal governments, are encouraged to apply for funding for transportation projects that benefit freight movement, safety, intermodal connections or efficiency across modes. The funding is available through the Minnesota Highway Freight Program.

MHFP funding can be used on any public road, railroad crossing or intermodal facility if the project provides a public freight benefit. Up to $64 million will be made available for this round of MHFP funding, with up to $21.6 million awarded each state fiscal year 2026–2028.

Some examples of freight projects that may be funded through the program are:

• Railroad at-grade crossing improvements
• Truck parking
• Weigh station improvements
• Freight mobility projects, such as interchanges or bypass lanes to address freight bottlenecks
• Improving access to freight-generating facilities or industrial areas
• Intermodal projects, such as airport or other transfer stations and ports and waterways

Learn more at Aug. 21 webinar

A public informational webinar will be held online Monday, Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. The webinar will present details on the program and this round of funding, followed by a question and answer session. Instructions to join the webinar will be placed on the MHFP website (Microsoft Teams meeting link).

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Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Central Time Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Applications can be submitted electronically to FreightPlans.DOT@state.mn.us. For more information or to download an application visit the Minnesota Highway Freight Program website.

Projects will be selected and awards announced in January 2024.

The Minnesota Highway Freight Program is a statewide competitive program designed to help meet the state’s freight transportation needs through funding projects that improve freight transportation safety, mobility, efficiency and access to freight facilities. The funding comes from the federal National Highway Freight Program, which supports states in making freight movement improvements. Overall, up to $64 million may be available for state fiscal years 2026–2028. Freight improvements that are funded will help to meet the investment goals identified in the State Freight Plan.

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