Sponsor: Public Works
Title
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Support the City of Saint Paul’s Federal Grant Application to U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration Bridge Investment Program for the Eastbound Kellogg RiverCenter Bridge Reconstruction
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Recommendation
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Direct the County Manager to submit a letter of support from the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners for the City of Saint Paul’s Bridge Investment Program federal grant application for Eastbound Kellogg RiverCenter Bridge reconstruction, including a commitment of up to $11 million of local match funding from county’s dedicated transportation sources as part of the Building Stronger Together economic development strategy.
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Background and Rationale
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For nearly 90 years, the Eastbound Kellogg RiverCentre Bridge has served as a defining connection in downtown Saint Paul. Spanning more than 1,000 feet, the bridge is a critical transportation corridor linking residents, businesses, government services and regional transportation routes across the city.
Today, the bridge is experiencing irreversible deterioration and has been classified as structurally deficient and load posted. Replacing the bridge is essential to maintaining safe, reliable access to downtown and supporting the long-term vitality of the city’s urban core.
Kellogg Boulevard also serves as a primary access point to the county’s RiversEdge Development - a nearly five-acre public-private project that will create jobs, revitalize Saint Paul’s historic riverfront and expand public access to the Mississippi River. Strengthening this corridor and improving the connection to the future Park at RiversEdge are key components of the Building Stronger Together <https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/your-government/projects-initiatives/building-stronger-together> initiative and critical to advancing a more vibrant, connected and dynamic downtown Saint Paul.
The City of Saint Paul approached Ramsey County to leverage federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration Bridge Investment Program (BIP) aiming to secure transformational infrastructure investment that will strengthen regional connectivity, safety and economic competitiveness. As part of the Building Stronger Together plan, the City of Saint Paul is requesting an $11 million partnership contribution from county dedicated transportation funds to support the local match requirement for its federal Bridge Investment Program grant application. The total project cost is $70.7 million, with the city contributing $5.2 million toward the local match based on current construction estimates.
Looking ahead, final plans and specifications have already been developed, which is a testament to the City’s commitment to prioritizing and delivering this project to completion. If full BIP funds are secured and a grant agreement is reached, the City will make final revisions to the plans and seek federal authorization for construction. The project should advance to construction within nine months after BIP funds are committed.
This project is part of the Dynamic Downtown initiative of the recently adopted Building Stronger Together plan which outlines an aggressive strategy that creates a more vibrant, connected and welcoming downtown Saint Paul. The plan supports the County’s vision in strengthening economic growth, housing, mobility and public investment for future generations particularly through investments in the Park at RiversEdge. Replacing the Eastbound Kellogg RiverCenter Bridge advances this vision by improving critical infrastructure, strengthening connections between the riverfront and downtown destinations while creating a safer, more accessible and inviting downtown experience. The project will incorporate public art to transform the bridge into a welcoming “gateway” to downtown and add a new 12-foot-wide shared-use path along Exchange Street, filling a key connection between the Sam Morgan Regional Trail, the Mississippi River and the heart of downtown Saint Paul.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The Eastbound Kellogg RiverCenter Bridge is a critical connection to jobs, transit, services, and economic activity throughout downtown Saint Paul. Without reinvestment, continued infrastructure decline and constrained redevelopment opportunities risk reinforcing longstanding inequities that have disproportionately impacted Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.
This investment advances the county’s Building Stronger Together plan and reflects Ramsey County’s commitment to addressing longstanding racial and economic disparities. By prioritizing inclusive economic growth, strengthening partnerships, and targeting investment where it is most needed, the county can help expand access to opportunity, support wealth-building, and ensure economic development benefits all residents including communities that have historically experienced disinvestment and exclusion.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Supporting this project through the City of Saint Paul’s BIP grant aligns with the community-driven vision of Building Stronger Together.
The project reflects ongoing collaboration with cities, businesses, community organizations, developers and residents to strengthen downtown Saint Paul through safe, reliable infrastructure and inclusive economic growth.
The project supports goals related to equitable access, mobility, safety, economic vitality, and multimodal transportation. It also reflects community input emphasizing the importance of reliable infrastructure that connects residents to jobs, housing, transit, services, and regional opportunities.
The bridge replacement aligns with priorities identified through extensive community engagement and long-range planning efforts, including the Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan <https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/your-government/projects-initiatives/economic-development-initiatives/economic-competitiveness-inclusion-plan>, the All Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan <https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/residents/roads-transportation/multi-modal-planning/all-abilities-2050-transportation-plan>, and the County’s Transit Improvement and Transportation Investment plans. Together, these plans provide the strategic foundation for county investments and reflect a shared vision for a more connected, accessible, and economically resilient community.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Funding for up to $11 million of local match for the BIP will come from existing county transportation and transit project accounts through dedicated transportation and transit funding sources. There is sufficient funding available in transportation and transit accounts. If the city’s grant application is successful, the Ramsey County Board would take additional actions appropriate to the funding source(s) as required.
Last Previous Action
On March 21, 2026, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved and endorsed the Building Stronger Together economic development strategy and its implementation.
On March 14, 2026, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners hosted two board workshops. In the first workshop, the Board discussed how the county can respond to property tax realities using county tools. The second workshop discussed a county strategy that creates a moment to build stronger together. In that workshop, the County Manager and economic development staff presented an economic growth strategy that centers downtown and county assets to address property tax pressures.
On March 7, 2026, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners hosted a board workshop to highlighted Ramsey County’s fiscal health.
Attachments
1. None.