MnDOT seeks applicants for Minnesota Highway Freight Program funding
$51 million available for freight and intermodal freight projects
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Applications are now open for a new round of funding for freight mobility, safety, access and intermodal projects through the Minnesota Highway Freight Program, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced today.
The program makes $25.5 million available for applications in state fiscal year 2029, and $25.5 million available for state fiscal year 2030. The Minnesota Highway Freight Program funding targets projects that benefit freight movement. Minnesota cities, counties, ports and waterways, railroads, airports, Tribal governments, and MnDOT districts are eligible to apply.
Eligible projects include:
- Freight safety, mobility or first and last mile projects
- Railroad line and railroad safety at-grade crossing improvements
- Truck parking and commercial vehicle safety improvement projects
- Intermodal projects
- Freight transportation plans or studies
This round of funding specifically encourages projects that support intermodal connections between two or more transportation modes, including railroads, airports, ports and waterways. MnDOT’s vision is to develop an integrated, multimodal freight transportation system that offers safe, reliable, sustainable, and competitive access to statewide, national and international markets.
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Central Time Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Applications must be submitted electronically to FreightPlans.DOT@state.mn.us. To download an application or get more information visit the Minnesota Highway Freight Program website. Questions about the solicitation should be sent to FreightPlans.DOT@state.mn.us.
Attend July 23 webinar to learn more
A public interactive webinar will be held Wednesday, July 23 at 1 p.m. Attendees will learn details of the program and the current round of funding. A presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Instructions to join the webinar will be posted to the Minnesota Highway Freight Program website prior to the webinar.
Projects selected to receive funding will be announced in spring of 2026.
The Minnesota Highway Freight Program is a statewide competitive program designed to help meet Minnesota’s freight transportation needs through funding projects that improve freight transportation safety, mobility, efficiency and access to freight transportation. The funding comes from the federal National Highway Freight Program, which supports states in making freight movement improvements. Projects receiving funding help meet investment goals identified in the Minnesota State Freight Plan.
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