Anoka County has initiated a lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in an effort to prevent the allocation of $6.2 million in transportation grant funds towards the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Rum River Dam in Anoka. This bridge is part of a larger project that aims to enhance the area with amenities including a boat lock and a whitewater surfing facility, collectively estimated to cost approximately $55 million.

The project has been advocated by DFL House Leader Rep. Zack Stephenson. However, Anoka County Attorney Brad Johnson argues that the funds should not be diverted to what he calls a "pet project" for the city. Johnson contends that the decision to allocate these funds to the City of Anoka will detrimentally affect Anoka County as a whole by depriving it of potential infrastructure improvements.

The lawsuit claims that if the funds are transferred to the City of Anoka, the county will suffer "irreparable harm" as the funds, once distributed, would be lost forever to county projects that provide wider benefits.

This conflict arose after the Minnesota Legislature approved a transportation sales tax of 0.75% in 2023, intended to address various county projects, including vital road repairs and safety enhancements.

A spokesperson for Rep. Stephenson declined to comment on the lawsuit but mentioned that the bridge funding was included in a broader transportation bill that enjoyed bipartisan support. Counterarguments were presented in the legislature, where Republicans from Anoka County voiced strong disapproval of directing the county’s transportation funding towards what they considered an excessive investment, noting that it would be the third pedestrian crossing within a very short distance.

Rep. Harry Niska expressed concerns about the lack of funding for what he described as a major project stemming from limited monetary resources. Meanwhile, Rep. Peggy Scott criticized the measure for being advanced without adequate consultation with Anoka County officials.

In response, Rep. Stephenson defended the project, asserting that it underwent necessary legislative scrutiny and would progress through staged funding, a common practice for large-scale projects. He pointed out that there is an expectation for more funds to be allocated as the project develops over time.

Ultimately, an amendment to remove the funding for the Rum River Dam pedestrian bridge from the transportation bill was proposed by Niska but failed to pass.

For further context, you can read more about Anoka’s ambitions to convert the dam into a surfing location here.