SE Minnesota News

Today, Congressman Brad Finstad of Minnesota's First District expressed his approval for a $5 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. This funding is intended to support the repair of roads and bridges damaged by severe flooding in southern Minnesota last year.

The funds are expected to benefit several communities across the district, which suffered significant infrastructure damage due to record rainfall and flooding in 2024. Among the affected sites were the Rapidan Dam and the County Road 9 bridge in Blue Earth County.

In June of last year, Congressman Finstad met with local leaders to assess damage and discuss recovery strategies in various areas, including Madelia, rural Watonwan County, Jackson, Waseca, and Mankato.

Finstad commented on the grant announcement: "Over the past year, I have been in close communication with local officials and emergency personnel whose communities are facing extensive road repairs after last year’s flooding, especially in rural areas where township and county roads were inaccessible due to high water levels and, in some cases, have been indefinitely closed."

He added: "I am glad to see these federal dollars brought back home to southern Minnesota, which will provide our communities with much-needed financial assistance to rebuild the roads and bridges that our friends and neighbors rely on in the First District."