Benton County to Pitch “3 Up the Hill” Project to Bonding Committee

SAUK RAPIDS -- A major road construction project through a popular Benton County corridor is prompting local officials to ask for $6-million in state bonding money. They'll pitch the project to the Senate Capital Investment Committee when it tours central Minnesota Tuesday.

Benton County Engineer Chris Byrd says the project known as "3 Up the Hill" would widen County Road 3 from Second Avenue North in downtown Sauk Rapids to Highway 10.

Byrd says the cost has tripled since its early estimates because additional right-of-way is needed and the cost of homes has gone up.

Bird says it's an important commuter route into and out of the St. Cloud metro area.

An estimated 16-to-20 homes will need to be acquired to widen the road to four lanes. It could also include round-a-bouts at busier intersections.

Two-million dollars would go for right-of-way acquisition and the remaining $4-million would be for construction.