Hagedorn Committed to Completing Highway 14 Corridor

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) issued the following statement in response to developments relating to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) request for $25 million in federal funding from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grant program for the completion of the Highway 14 Corridor from Nicollet to New Ulm:

"Despite our relentless efforts, MnDOT’s request for a $25 million BUILD Grant for the completion of the Highway 14 Corridor from Nicollet to New Ulm was not approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

"In bipartisan fashion, I worked alongside Governor Tim Walz, MnDOT officials, local legislators and others to fiercely advocate for this project. Special thanks to the Governor for personally contacting Secretary Chao and helping us make our case.

"Unfortunately, the career staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation determined that our application – along with three other BUILD Grant requests from Minnesota – did not meet the necessary score to warrant funding.

"Completion of the Highway 14 from Nicollet to New Ulm and securing further airport improvements for Rochester and Mankato remain my top infrastructure priorities. For safety, commerce and many other reasons these projects are critically needed. I pledge to continue working with all involved, in truly bipartisan fashion, to gain the necessary funding to complete the long overdue Highway 14 Corridor project and secure additional safety fixes at Mankato Regional and Rochester International Airports as soon as possible."

Jim Hagedorn was elected in 2018 to represent Minnesota’s First District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He grew up on his family’s grain and livestock farm near Truman. Jim’s father, former U.S. Congressman Tom Hagedorn (MN-02), grandfather, and great-grandfather were all southern Minnesota farmers. Jim currently resides in the rural farming community of Blue Earth. Hagedorn brings policy experience to Capitol Hill from time spent as a congressional aide to former U.S. Congressman Arlan Stangeland (MN-07) and a congressional relations officer for two non-partisan U.S. Department of the Treasury agencies. Hagedorn serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and Small Business to promote farming, Main Street enterprises and southern Minnesota’s way of life.

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