Gov. Walz unveils $887 million infrastructure plan at Rapidan Dam
MANKATO, Minn. (FOX 9) - Governor Tim Walz unveiled his proposed 2025 infrastructure plan on Thursday that includes $887 million for projects that "protect Minnesota’s drinking water, keep communities safe, and support housing development."
Minnesota 2025 infrastructure plan
What we know:
The governor unveiled the 2025 infrastructure plan at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Mankato area at the site of the Rapidan Dam that was destroyed during flooding in 2024.
Gov. Walz's proposal includes funding for a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters and $10 million for the dam's rebuilding efforts.
What they're saying:
"Investing in the basics ensures that our communities have the infrastructure they need to thrive. With this plan, we’re delivering on the nuts and bolts of what the government should provide, making life safer and easier for all Minnesotans," said Walz on Thursday.
Infrastructure plan spending
Dig deeper:
The proposed plan highlights several areas of need across Minnesota, according to Gov. Walz.
The proposal is said to invest more than $144 million in water and transportation infrastructure, including more than $107 million to support grants and low-interest loans to keep Minnesota’s water clean.
The infrastructure plan also includes $5 million for flood mitigation and prevention, and $10 million for work on the Rapidan Dam.
Public safety, housing:
According to a press release, the plan allocates more than $239 million for public safety projects, including expanding laboratory and investigatory capacity for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and building a Minnesota State Patrol headquarters.
An investment of more than $44 million in housing and the environment, including $7 million for public housing rehabilitation and $17 million to update the Minneapolis Veterans Home, are also included in the proposal.
State building preservation:
Also part of the proposal's priorities will be more than $395 million toward maintaining and renewing state facilities, including $206 million for Minnesota State and the University of Minnesota to repair and renovate buildings.
Additional investments include $40 million for local government projects, $3 million for the Duluth Hangar in support of the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard, and nearly $3 million in grants to construct and renovate early childhood facilities, according to a press release.
Rapidan Dam destruction
The backstory:
Storms and consistent rain brought widespread flooding across Minnesota last summer. Blue Earth County was one of dozens of counties in the state that President Joe Biden approved for a major disaster declaration.
Among the areas that were damaged in Blue Earth County was the area around the Rapidan Dam, which suffered a partial failure on June 24, 2024, resulting in a house along the Blue Earth River, near the dam, falling into the river. The Dam Store was then demolished after it couldn't be saved.
Crews recently started demolishing the County 9 Bridge, located just south of the dam, after the area suffered from erosion. Here is a recap of the Rapidan Dam situation.
Bridge by Rapidan Dam being demolished [RAW]
The Rapidan Dam in south central Minnesota suffered a partial failure due to flooding on the Blue Earth River in June 2024. Officials previously said there was concern about the County Road 9 bridge, located just south of the dam, due to erosion. SkyFOX captured crews working to demolish the bridge on Jan. 7, 2025.