ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced a nearly $900 million transportation construction program for 2011.
It's significantly smaller than the $1.3 billion MnDOT spent on construction in 2010. Officials say it's the result of dwindling federal stimulus dollars.
Gov. Mark Dayton says the 258 projects will support 25,000 construction and related jobs.
The department has been criticized for a lack of minority hiring. MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel (soh-RELL') says the department is trying to ramp up minority participation, especially in work on Summit Avenue in St. Paul.
The money includes $42 million for an ongoing upgrade of the Highway 169/Interstate 494 interchange in the Twin Cities, nearly $94 million for rebuilding the Highway 52/Lafayette Bridge in St. Paul, and $28 million for the second year of a bridge and pavement project on I-35 in Duluth.
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Officials warn the projects will cause major traffic hang-ups.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
