Thirty-six Minnesota cities, counties and townships received funding to improve transportation infrastructure on local roads through the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Local Road Improvement Program.

Approximately $25.3 million in projects will help reduce traffic crashes on rural County State Aid Highways and local roads that have regional significance. The funding also will help pay for the local share of a trunk highway project.

Projects range from roundabouts, sidewalk and pedestrian ramps, widening and repaving of roadways, adding traffic signals and replacing culverts. One new bridge is included in the project list.

“This program promotes local, regional and state economic development, and improves safety on township, city and county roads,” said Commissioner Charlie Zelle.

Ostrander was among those entities to receive funding. The small town just across the county line in Fillmore County was approved for the entirety of its $314,000 request to go toward $4,120,000 reconstruction and utilities project.

The LRIP is funded out of the 2017 general obligation bonds.

MnDOT received more than 200 applications totaling more than $584 million. Selection was based on geographical distribution, safety, regional significance, local agency support, construction readiness, impact and availability of other funding sources.