(ST. PAUL, Minn.) -The Minnesota Senate passed the Transportation Budget and Policy Bill, SF 2082 / HF 2438 Thursday in a bipartisan vote of 37 – 28. Senator Ann Johnson Stewart (DFL – Minnetonka), Vice Chair of the Transportation Committee, praised the package for making forward-thinking investments in the state’s transportation infrastructure while improving safety, sustainability, and efficiency across the system.
“This transportation budget strikes a thoughtful balance—making strategic investments where they’re needed most while responsibly managing our resources,” said Senator Johnson Stewart. “It prioritizes core services and modernizes our policies to meet the changing needs of Minnesotans. Every person in our state deserves a safe, dependable transportation system, and this bill moves us closer to that goal.”
Among the major investments included in the bill are:
- $100 million in Trunk Highway bonding
- Support for the Blatnik Bridge reconstruction project in Duluth
- Increased funding for state road construction and maintenance
- Full funding preserved for transit services statewide
- Investments in biking and walking infrastructure through active transportation funding
- A base funding increase for the Corridors of Commerce program
- Support for an additional State Patrol Academy for two years to bolster recruitment and training of new troopers.
Senator Johnson Stewart was the author of several significant policy components, including the creation of a Resilient Pavement Program, which promotes the use of longer-lasting materials and designs for roadways. This initiative encourages pavement designs with lifespans greater than the traditional 20 years for asphalt and 35 years for concrete. By improving road durability, the state expects to reduce long-term costs associated with maintenance, traveler delays, and environmental impacts from construction.
“Infrastructure costs are about more than concrete and asphalt—they’re about time, lost productivity, safety, climate impacts, and supporting local businesses,” said Senator Johnson Stewart. “This new program is a smart, long-term investment for Minnesota.”
Other provisions authored or championed by Senator Johnson Stewart include:
- Requiring driver’s education to include instruction on safe driving in construction zones
- Increasing the registration surcharge on electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to offset lost gas tax revenue
- Limiting the circumstances where a pedestrian can be cited for jaywalking
- Reforming state aid street design and variance processes to make street design more responsive and flexible
The Senate also unanimously accepted an amendment to rename the 10th Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis in honor of the late Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic. “Kari was not only a bridge builder, she was also a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Minnesota, which meant a lot to her.” Said Senator Johnson Stewart. “She was dedicated to seeing the many sides of every issue. She was above reproach, and I was so proud to know her. This bridge is an important link between the east bank and the west bank, and I will think of her every time I cross it.”
“This bill reflects what good government can achieve when we listen to our communities, work across the aisle, and plan for the future. I’m proud to have contributed to this work, and proud of what it will deliver for Minnesotans across the state.”
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Learn more about Sen. Johnson Stewart.
Read more news from Sen. Johnson Stewart.