Adoption of the attached resolution.

As Council recalls in January 2025, Transit applied to Mankato/North Mankato Area Planning Organization (MAPO) for Carbon Reduction Program Funding. In June 2025, $137,500 was awarded for bus stop preliminary engineering to design and engineer bus stops for the upcoming 2027 Bus Stop Improvement Project. The $110,000 in Federal funds includes a 20% local share of $27,500.

As these are Federal Highway funds, MnDOT is acting as Mankato’s agent in accepting the funds. Preliminary engineering is eligible for the expenditure of Federal Aid funds, and is identified as:

• MnDOT - State Project 137-080-005
• FHWA - Minnesota Project CRP 0726(298)

The engineering and design will support the construction project that supports Strategic Goal 2: Sustainable Infrastructure through well-maintained transportation assets and increase ridership of the transit system.

Background:
Mankato Transit System’s Bus Stop Improvements Project addresses the disability access for the fixed route transit stops in the urbanized area, such as lack of landing pad space to accommodate extendable/retractable bus ramps, and connections to sidewalks. This project systematically addresses the concerns identified in both the 2018 and 2023 Transit Development Plan and 2023 Mankato/North Mankato Area Planning Organization’s Americans with Disability Act Transition Plan, which identified Transit as being 7% compliant. Through intentional efforts which began in 2024, Transit is 55.8% compliant.

The Minnesota Olmstead Plan, which ensures that disabled Minnesotans live full, integrated lives in their chosen community, set transportation goals which are supported by the project.

The Carbon Reduction Program was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It provides Minnesota with annual funding over five years for projects that reduce carbon emissions from surface transportation. Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are one of the jurisdictions available to select projects for funding use.