Metzen Proposes Interchange Study, Hansen Focuses on Expanding Scope of Mighty Ducks Program

A proposal to study and gauge the environmental impact of a new interchange at Argenta Trail (Delaware) and Highway 55 in Inver Grove Heights was one of seven bills recently introduced by Sen. Jim Metzen  (D-District 39).

Delaware Avenue forms the east border of Mendota Heights north of Interstate 494.

Metzen said a new interchange would be key to developing the Northwest Quadrant of Inver Grove Heights, and thus far he hasn’t heard any of the same concerns raised by Mendota Heights residents as when a Dakota County Regional Roadway Visioning Study released last year alluded to an interchange at Delaware and Interstate 494.

“That’s going to be a huge complex out there,” said Metzen. “Housing, Super Target, the list goes on and on. And we need that intersection.”

Metzen also put in a request for $250,000 to build a transit park and ride by Cub Foods on Robert Street. He said that by measuring use of a park and ride, “ we could eventually make a better case for mass transit on that corner.”

Air quality in ice arenas is on the mind of Rep. Rick Hansen (D-District 39A) who introduced a bill last Monday modifying the Mighty Ducks grant program. The state program currently provides grants to assist in building municipal ice arenas, but if the new legislation passes, that grant money could also be used for upgrading equipment to improve the levels of carbon monoxide and particulate matter in ice arenas. “Most facilities are publicly owned,” said Hansen. “So the resources to provide for the renovation or upgrades may be limited.”

The bill is a response to recent incidences of air quality problems at Minnesota ice arenas, said Hansen.

Sen. Jim Metzen

New activity:

—A bill for trunk highway #55 and county state-aid highway #63 (Argenta Trail) interchange construction environmental impact statement and scoping bond issue and appropriation awaits a hearing in the Transportation Committee. SF484 introduced Feb. 28

—A resolution urging support for the Republic of China as a part of the global community awaits a hearing in the State Government and Innovation Committee. SF483 introduced Feb. 28  

—A bill for an act relating to capital investment; appropriating money for the Darvan Acres Nature Center; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds. SF482 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill relating to natural resources; appropriating money from the Outdoor Natural Heritage Fund for Darvan Acres Nature Center awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF481 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill relating to capital improvements; appropriating $250,000 in bond proceeds for a transit facility on the Robert Street Corridor awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF531 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill relating to energy; regulating projects funded by renewable development
account awaits a hearing in the Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee. SF495 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill providing Trunk highway #52 noise barrier replacement bond issue and appropriation of $3 million awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF391 introduced Feb. 28

Existing bills authored by Sen. Jim Metzen

—A bill providing bonding money for inflow and infiltration projects awaits a committee hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. This is the companion bill to HF74. SF49 introduced Jan. 18

— A bill providing $240,000 for Inver Grove Heights historical buildings rehabilitation and capital improvements grant bond issue and appropriation of $240,000 awaits a committee hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF297 introduced Feb. 10

Rep. Rick Hansen

New activity:

—A bill to allow Mighty Duck grants to be used for new or renovated air handling systems of indoor ice facilities awaits a hearing in the State Government and Finance Committee. HF684 introduced Feb. 24

Existing legislation:

— A bill providing bonding money for Highway 52 barrier replacement awaits a hearing in the Transportation Policy and Finance Committee. HF477 introduced Feb. 14

—A bill providing $1 million to the city of South St. Paul to replace a pumping station on the floodwall awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. This is the companion bill to SF145. HF277 introduced Jan. 31

— A bill providing bonding money for inflow and infiltration projects awaits a committee hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF74 introduced Jan. 13
—A bill providing $25 million in bonds for conservation easements to be purchased by the Board of Water and Soil Resources, with priority given to flood prone land in southeast Minnesota awaits a hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF109 introduced Jan. 18