City Council Meeting Date: December 2, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Dave Bennett Public Works Director/City Engineer
Sean Simonson, Engineering Manager
Subject:
TITLE
Consider Motion Authorizing Submittal of Application for the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) Grant - TH 3 Trail.
BODY
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the Motion Authorizing Submittal of Application for the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) Grant - TH 3 Trail.
Summary Report:
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) established the CRP which provides federal funds for projects designed to reduce carbon emissions from surface transportation. The legislation also requires each state to develop a Carbon Reduction Strategy (CRS) in consultation with MnDOT Districts to identify projects and strategies to support the reduction of transportation emissions. Northfield is located within the Southeast Minnesota Area Transportation Partnership (ATP), which has $888,000 available in the CRP for the Fiscal Year 2030 for eligible projects.
There are 3 eligible project types for the CRP, which include:
• Electrification
• Travel Option
• Low Carbon Infrastructure and System Management
City Staff is looking to submit an off-street trail project along the east side of TH 3 from 450’ south of Heritage Drive to Jefferson Parkway. (Attachment 1). This trail section is identified in the approved City of Northfield Pedestrian and Bike Plan as a planned network improvement. This trail segment would fall under the Travel Option eligibility of the CRP by the installation and maintenance of an infrastructure network improvement for walking, biking and rolling.
The prerecorded presentation includes the Transportation Alternatives (TA) Grant - Lincoln Parkway Walking and Biking Improvement Project, the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) Grant - TH 3 Trail, and the Highway Safety Improvements Program (HSIP) Grant Program - TH 246 & CSAH 1 Roundabout. However, due to the various nuances of each grant, staff proposes that each individual agenda item allow for Council questions and discussion and public comment.
Alternative Options:
Council could not elect to submit for this project grant.
Financial Impacts:
The total project costs are estimated to be $1,496,318 for this project. This grant requires a 20% local match commitment to receive the grant. The City of Northfield would propose to use its State-Aid Funding to cover the City of Northfield’s portion of the project costs. See the table below for the proposed project costs and project funding.
Tentative Timelines:
Letter of Intent Due: October 31, 2025
Council Action on Application: January 6, 2026
Grant Application Due January 9, 2026
Grant Award Notice March 30, 2026