Rice Lake corridor hits next stage in development
The RAISE grant announced that it will be supporting the Rice Lake Corridor project with $35 million worth of funds. This will provide funding for service transportation projects that will move and improve safety environmental and sustainable quality of life throughout our region and the rest of the United States.
This project is one of 148 chosen out of a $1.8 billion funding stream that they are receiving the $35 million for. This is a large success for the project aims their plans estimate a total cost of $45 million to complete the corridor. From Mayor the International Airport, many gathered to celebrate this one big step closer to their goal.
Improvement Central
This brings three highlights to the improvements that the project hopes for. Keith Musolf, St. Louis Commissioner – 5th district, spoke on the three categories they are focusing.
Safety
“One being the most important part of this project is the safety of the intersections on our Rice Lake corridor and Martin Road.”
Mayor Herstad of Rice Lake expanded a bit further than this topic.
“It will also provide safety for our families that travel on Rice Lake Road and provide good traffic flow during those peak traffic hours. This corridor will bring about Rice Lakes vision for a beautiful downtown area complete with walkways, bike paths, a chance for people to get out and enjoy our beautiful city.”
Economics
Keith continued about the categories.
“Two is the sheer economics of this project and what this does for the future growth of Rice Lake and cities and communities further up the Rice Lake corridor towards the east side of the Iron Range allowing future developments for both commercial and residential.”
Tom Werner who is a part of the Duluth Airport Authority gave his perspective on the growth from an economic standpoint, which match what Keith’s third category was.
Jobs
“We have an annual economic impact of 760.6 million. We support 6,200 jobs both on the airport campus and in the surrounding community. The community leverages its infrastructure. Good things happen, and that’s ultimately what this infrastructure improvement will do for this community.”
“The third leg to this project that I would like to highlight are the jobs that come along with it the jobs here that were produced by the project under the St. Louis County funding streams will have a project labor agreement on them ensuring that local building trades men and women will work on this project which in return will keep all the tax dollars right here in our communities.”
Timeline And Impacts
The Rice Lake Corridor Project has just completed step four in their plan, which was getting the RAISE grant funding. Now with the funding secured, they are moving into the next stage. From now till about 2027 they are Designing and creating an Enviromental Right-Of-Way.
On the current plan, they aim for Construction to begin 2028. Jim Foldesi, St. Louis County Public Works Director informed us that they have about two and a half miles of existing road to alter and construct three quarters of a mile of new roadway, the reconstruction of three intersections, and the construction of about five and a half miles of separated paved trails.
This construction will help them achieve their goals. Which include improving traffic safety for all transportation users at the key intersections by utilizing proven safety countermeasures, i.e. two roundabouts in this case, and then another traditional intersection. Reducing traffic congestion and associated carbon emissions. Preserving the public’s previous investments in Rice Lake Road with its functional designation as a minor arterial.
Creating a roadway corridor that invites development resulting in new housing and jobs. Mayor Herstad came back during the Q&A to give a glimpse into the future that they have planned.
“I don’t have the exact acreage, but it’s a rather large area and that will provide plenty of opportunities for housing. It could be apartment buildings or houses themselves, businesses.
We have visions of outdoor eating places. I mean, we’ve let our imaginations go pretty wild with the possibilities that could end up in this area.”