About Our Work

Traffic congestion, safety, and mobility are a challenge for the communities, businesses, and individuals throughout the Central Mississippi River region. CMRP is working to identify and implement improvements to the Highway 25 corridor area that will lessen travel time and reduce crashes, while also supporting regional land use, growth, and economic development goals.

CMRP’s current focus is on the Mississippi River Crossing from I-94 to US 10, as well as other interconnected regional transportation projects. Constructing a new river crossing is a long, multi-phase process requiring significant resources and collaboration between local, state, and federal partners. Even under the best possible circumstances, similar projects have taken decades to move from initial planning to ribbon-cutting. CMRP is committed to seeing this project through every stage, from regulatory hurdles to environmental studies to construction.

Project Updates

Current Timeline

Constructing a new river crossing is a long, multi-phase process requiring significant resources and collaboration between local, state and federal partners. Even under the best possible circumstances, similar projects have taken decades to move from initial planning to ribbon-cutting. CMRP is committed to seeing this river crossing project through every stage, from regulatory hurdles to environmental processes to construction.

Initial Planning & Feasibility
2022 – 2025

Initial Planning & Feasibility

Initial work began building consensus among project partners and laid the groundwork for subsequent required state and federal planning and environmental processes.

CMRP worked with Wright and Sherburne counties to support a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study, which wrapped up in late 2025. The PEL study:

  • Identified regional transportation needs
  • Assessed current challenges
  • Solicited public engagement
  • Evaluated a range of alternatives to carry forward

Click here to read more on the PEL study website.

Apply for Funding
2024 –

Apply for Funding

The planning cost estimate for the river crossing project is between $290 and $350 million. One of the most critical roles of CMRP is to apply and advocate for state and federal funding opportunities to support planning, and, eventually, construction. CMRP and area partners continue to explore and apply for potential funds.

Environmental Path Coordination
2024 – 2026

Environmental Path Coordination

The designated project area for the next stage of environmental documentation is large and encompasses other regional projects, some of which also require federal involvement and funding. Federal agencies have strict rules about supporting overlapping projects. CMRP has continued to work with the Federal Highway Agency (FWHA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to develop an approved project path and schedule. Ultimately, the agency has ruled that the federal Categorical Exclusion process for the TH10/CSAH 11 interchange in Sherburne County must be complete before the federal EIS process can begin for the river crossing project.

Pre-Scoping for Tier 1 EIS
2026

Pre-Scoping for Tier 1 EIS

Because of the federal resources that will be required to advance the river crossing, the project must go through processes required by the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is one component of the NEPA process that will further build on the initial work in the PEL study. CMRP is currently supporting pre-scoping efforts to facilitate the Tier 1 EIS, including additional stakeholder coordination, traffic and safety sensitivity tests, and exploration of the state Wild & Scenic River designation.

PEL Study Updates
2026

PEL Study Updates

As part of the preparation for the next phase of the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process, CMRP and project leaders are reviewing and updating the Purpose & Need identified during the PEL study.

Tier 1 EIS
2027 – 2029

Tier 1 EIS

The environmental review process is typically the longest and most unpredictable stage of planning a river crossing. The Tier 1 Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is the first, broader phase of the EIS process. The Tier 1 EIS will build on the PEL study to further develop the Purpose & Need, identify preferred corridors, conduct high-level environmental analysis, and continue public engagement efforts. The Tier 1 EIS won’t identify a final bridge location, design, or alignment – that takes place in the Tier 2.

Implementation Plan
2029

Implementation Plan

During the later stages of the Tier 1 EIS, CMRP and project stakeholders will work to develop an implementation plan. The implementation plan will describe how the project will be prioritized, sequenced, and funded as it moves towards engineering and construction.

Tier 2 EIS
2030 –

Tier 2 EIS

The Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a two-year process that builds on the results of the Tier 1, and requires construction funding to begin. During the Tier 2 EIS, engineers will determine the exact bridge alignment, design the bridge and interconnecting roads, and conduct more detailed environmental studies and mitigation efforts. The Tier 2 EIS culminates with a Record of Decision allowing the project to move towards final design and permitting.

Final Design & Permitting

Final Design & Permitting

The timing for the final design and permitting processes will depend on the Tier 1 and 2 EIS, the implementation plan, and project funding. This is the final stage before construction can begin.

Construction

Project Construction

Construction begins on the new river crossing!