Announcement of solicitation
MnDOT is pleased to announce the fourth round of the MHFP solicitation. Up to $51.2 million of federal funding is expected to be available for the solicitation, or up to $25.6 million for each state fiscal year of 2029 and 2030. The solicitation opened on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 and will close at 11:59pm Central Time on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Minnesota cities, counties, ports, waterways, railroads, airports, Tribal governments, and MnDOT districts are encouraged to apply for funding for transportation projects that benefit freight movement, safety, intermodal connections or efficiency across modes. MHFP funding can be used on any public road, railroad crossing or intermodal facility if the project provides a public freight benefit. This round of funding specifically seeks projects that support intermodal connections between two or more transportation modes, including railroads, airports, ports and waterways.
Many combinations of eligible projects are possible: A facility that connects waterborne freight service to a railway for surface/water transportation is an example that would be permitted. Projects may occur off the immediate highway freight network provided the appropriate connections occur.
Examples of freight projects that may be funded through the program include:
- Freight safety, mobility or first and last mile projects
- Weigh station improvements
- Railroad line and railroad safety at-grade crossing improvements
- Truck parking and commercial vehicle safety improvement projects
- Improving access to freight-generating facilities or industrial areas
- Intermodal projects, such as rail, airport or other transfer stations and ports and waterways
- Freight transportation plans or studies
2025 fourth round solicitation materials
- 2025 Minnesota Highway Freight Program application (MS Word)
- 2025 Evaluation criteria for Minnesota Highway Freight Program application (PDF)
- Prerecorded Informational Webinar
- Interactive Webinar with Q and A on July 23 at 1:00 p.m. (link to join Teams meeting)
Previously Selected Projects Information
Previously selected projects map
2023 third round program results
- 2023 selected projects list (PDF)
- 2023 project applicant scores (PDF)
- 2023 Minnesota Highway Freight Program application (Word)
- Evaluation criteria for Minnesota Highway Freight Program application
- Aug. 21, 2023 program informational session:
2020 second round program results
2017 first round program results
About the program
The Minnesota Highway Freight Program is a federally funded program designed to improve freight safety, mobility, intermodal facilities and first and last mile connections to key destinations.
Minnesota cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations, tribal governments, ports, airports, railroads and others may apply for funding for roadway, railroad safety, port and intermodal projects that benefit freight throughout the state.
Some examples of freight projects that may be funded through the program are:
- Railroad at-grade crossing improvements
- Truck parking
- Weigh station improvements
- Freight mobility projects, such as interchanges or bypass lanes to address freight bottlenecks
- Improving access to freight-generating facilities or industrial areas
- Intermodal projects, such as airport or other transfer stations and ports and waterways
Funding for the Minnesota Highway Freight Program comes from the federal National Highway Freight Program and state Trunk Highway funds that provide state support to make freight improvements. Freight improvements that are funded align with the investment direction in the State Freight Plan.