2025 Local Road Improvement Program Solicitation
By: Rashmi Brewer, State Programs Engineer
Solicitation and schedule
As an outcome from the 2025 legislative session, a total appropriation of $47 million in general obligation (GO) bond funds are available for this Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) competitive solicitation, of which at least $5 million must be for grants to townships. Based on direction from the LRIP Advisory Committee, the maximum grant selection amount will be $1,500,000 (same as 2023 LRIP solicitation) for counties, state aid cities, non-state aid cities, and townships.
Important dates
- LRIP solicitation opening - September 16, 2025
- LRIP applications due - December 12, 2025
- LRIP Advisory Committee Meeting - March 12, 2026*
- Announce LRIP selections and non-selections - March 30, 2026*
* exact dates will depend on the number of applications receieved.
Eligibility and evaluation
Please check out the LRIP webpage for frequent updates on important documents and information. First, please read the 2025 LRIP Solicitation Guide (PDF) for details on eligibility and requirements. If you have questions, please refer to the FAQ and webinar slides. Then, use the solicitation guide as a resource to complete the LRIP grant application.
- FAQ (PDF)
- 2025 LRIP solicitation and project application webinar
- Application
Below are some important summary points:
- Projects that have received legislatively selected appropriations (“earmarks”) or previous LRIP grants are not eligible for funding under this solicitation.
- Projects that will be under construction before the anticipated LRIP selection notifications prior to March 30, 2026*, are not eligible for funding under this solicitation.
- Projects should be non-controversial and should be construction ready in 2026, 2027, or 2028.
- County applications will be evaluated against other county applications; state aid city applications against state aid city applications; and small city/township applications against small city/township applications. We anticipate funding projects from all four agency types.
- The expected useful service life of improvements must be a minimum of 10 years. Maintenance type activities including but not limited to repairing frost boils, filling potholes, blading gravel roads, and standalone ditch repairs are not eligible for LRIP.
- Items that are eligible for LRIP funds include reasonable elements associated with roadway construction, including basic landscaping and turf establishment. Landscaping planters, benches, bike racks, decorative fences, ornamental lighting, and other aesthetic treatments above the standard are generally not eligible. Other items that are not eligible include engineering, construction administration and inspection, right of way acquisition, and water main, sanitary sewer, or private infrastructure/utility work.
- LRIP funds cannot be used for improvements on the Trunk Highway system, including those costs that might be required from a local agency on a Trunk Highway project as per MnDOT’s Cost Participation Policy.
- LRIP funds cannot be used for improvements to locally owned infrastructure that is located on Trunk Highway right of way.
County Sponsorship
Consistent with previous solicitation requirements, State Aid will require counties to sponsor projects on township and non-state aid city roads. See #4 and #16 in the LRIP FAQ (PDF) for more information on duties associated with this requirement and potential alternate approach to county sponsorship for small city/township projects selected for grants. County sponsorship is required (1) to provide engineering, plan development, contract administration, and grant agreement expertise to townships and small cities, and (2) to help ensure that the improvements will be constructed on time and within budget. Townships and small cities should be in contact with their county engineer on potential applications and to obtain project sponsorship for application submittals.
Questions
Please contact Rashmi Brewer at rashmi.brewer@state.mn.us with questions or for more information.