U.S. Highway 169 segment expansion to a four-lane highway funding provided, previous appropriation cancelled, and money appropriated.

HF 3595 cancels $117 million previously allocated for the Minneapolis-Duluth Northern Lights Express passenger rail project and redirects that exact amount to fund the expansion of U.S. Highway 169. The bill appropriates $117 million from the general fund for the Minnesota Department of Transportation to expand a two-lane segment of Highway 169 between Taconite and Pengilly into a four-lane divided highway. This funding covers predesign, engineering, environmental work, property acquisition, and construction, and is available until June 30, 2029. The bill directly affects highway planning and construction for this specific corridor, replacing the canceled rail project with a highway infrastructure project.