Updated: Council approves support of new I-90 interchange

Jan. 10—The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved a resolution supporting Freeborn County's application to the Corridors of Commerce program for a new interchange on Interstate 90 at Freeborn County Road 20.

The county in the last few months has been evaluating the new interchange, which would be between existing interchanges at Bridge Avenue and Minnesota Highway 13, and in October approved a resolution supporting a county grant request to do so. It submitted an application for funding in November.

In the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners workshop Tuesday, Freeborn County Highway Engineer Phillip Wacholz said the cost is estimated at $5 1/2 million, and the earliest the project could be completed if approved for funding would be 2024, though it would be more likely to be 2025. The cost would cover acquiring the right of way, completing an environmental assessment and the construction itself. Work would not need to be done to the existing bridge.

The community has considered the I-90 interchange on the road, also known as Bath Road, a few other times over the past 30 years. The design being considered is called a partial folded diamond design.

Albert Lea City Manager Ian Rigg Monday night said the interchange would benefit the area for many reasons, including decreased congestion at the Bridge Avenue exit on I-90, which is busy and has poor visibility, and increased access to the interstate for agricultural traffic as well as existing businesses on Plaza Street.

He also talked about the increased development potential of the surrounding land area and noted that extending city utilities to the property was feasible. Adding the interchange would also have minimal impacts on the existing system.

Second Ward Councilor Larry Baker questioned if any city funding had been requested for the project.

City Engineer Steven Jahnke said the county has not asked the county to support the project financially and so far has just asked the city to support the grant application.

The county board is expected to pass an official resolution of support for the project at its meeting next week, and the Bath Township Board was slated to vote Wednesday night.

Wacholz Tuesday told the county board that projects with local buy-in typically rank higher on an application, though the actual local contribution has not yet been determined.

The project will be in competition with other projects in southeast Minnesota for the money.

The Corridors of Commerce program was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 2013 with a goal of providing additional transportation investments in state highway projects that directly and indirectly foster economic growth for the state. It is separate from the regular state road construction program, and projects are scored based on set criteria.

Wacholz said he had spoken with the property owner on the northeast part of the potential interchange who was supportive of the project.