Bill > SF2148

This bill modifies the allocation of regional transportation sales and use tax proceeds to provide a specific $15 million grant to the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents in fiscal year 2026 for the Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge project. The funding is specifically earmarked for designing and constructing replacement pedestrian enclosure and suicide prevention barriers on the Twin Cities campus bridge. The bill requires the Board of Regents to consult with suicide prevention experts, organizations, and individuals personally affected by suicide during the project's design phase. This allocation represents an exception to existing metropolitan transportation funding rules, demonstrating a targeted approach to addressing both infrastructure improvement and suicide prevention. The funding will come from active transportation revenue previously allocated to the Metropolitan Council, and the project aims to enhance pedestrian safety and mental health support by implementing suicide deterrent barriers on this specific pedestrian bridge.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2148&ssn=0&y=2025