POLICY Bipartisan Senate permitting legislation would bar courts from vacating a project authorization they find defective. S. 5653, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, came out of a Sept. 30 agreement between the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The bill bars a NEPA claim unless it is filed within 150 days of the authorization being published or made public, and limits the claim to parties that participated in the comment period. Where a court finds that an authorization does not comply, the only remedy available is remand without vacatur or injunction, with instructions to correct the deficiency and a deadline for the agency to act, so the authorization stays in force while the fix is made. The bill doubles the term of a programmatic environmental document from 5 years to 10, doubles the maximum term of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit and of a Clean Water Act section 404 general permit from 5 years to 10, and cuts the standard Endangered Species Act section 7 consultation period from 90 days to 60. It expands agency reliance on categorical exclusions, programmatic reviews, and environmental documents prepared by other federal agencies, states, or tribes, and it lets qualified states take on section 7 consultation duties. Associated Builders and Contractors filed a letter of support on Oct. 14. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials published its own read on Oct. 16, singling out clearer timelines for judicial challenges and expanded state assumption of federal responsibilities. A Senate floor vote is not expected before the chamber returns from recess on Nov. 9, according to a McGuireWoods client alert.
Sources: S. 5653 as introduced; AASHTO Journal, Oct. 16; Associated Builders and Contractors, Oct. 14; McGuireWoods, Oct. 2
FUNDING Minnesota drew $27.7 million for a new Interstate 94 rest area near Fergus Falls. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced $200 million on Oct. 14 for 14 truck parking projects in 12 states through the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects program. The Minnesota award covers design and construction of a Class I safety rest area with 63 commercial motor vehicle spaces and 60 passenger vehicle spaces, serving both directions of I-94 and replacing a nearby rest area that closed because of recurring flooding. Iowa took $24.5 million for six I-80 rest areas, Arkansas $23 million for an I-49 facility in Crawford County, and Wisconsin $15 million for 106 spaces along I-41 in Dodge County.
Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation, Oct. 14; AASHTO Journal, Oct. 16; Valley News Live, Oct. 14
WORKFORCE Minnesota’s heavy and civil engineering construction payroll grew 9.4 percent over the year, the fastest of any construction subsector in the state. The Department of Employment and Economic Development released its September employment analysis on Oct. 15. It puts the gain at 2,283 jobs, against national construction growth of 1.2 percent. Specialty trade contractors added 5,150 jobs, 5.4 percent. Construction of buildings added 582, 1.8 percent. The construction supersector added 8,015, 5.2 percent. Professional, scientific, and technical services lost 759 jobs over the year and another 300 on the month. Minnesota shed 4,600 nonfarm jobs in September while the country added 29,000. State unemployment stood at 4.5 percent against 4.2 percent nationally, labor force participation at 66.7 percent, and average private hourly earnings at $39.78, up 30 cents on the month and unchanged over the year against 3.7 percent consumer price inflation. The average work week fell seven-tenths of an hour to 32.3 hours.
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, September employment analysis
PROJECTS Washington County opened a final design solicitation for County State Aid Highway 13 in Lake Elmo and Oakdale. The county published the request for proposals on Oct. 16 and set a Nov. 6 close at 4:30pm for final design engineering services on the CSAH 13 (Ideal Avenue) improvement project. Per the RFP, TKDA is under contract for the preliminary design phase, which the county expects to complete by January 2027 and which will produce a 30 percent layout and a cost estimate to hand to the selected consultant. The RFP states that topographic survey, wetland delineation, utility data to quality level D, and a preliminary hydraulics analysis are complete, and that a preferred design has been identified while a preferred layout is being created. The project carries no federal funding. It runs as a cooperative project among Washington County, Lake Elmo, and Oakdale, with the county as lead agency and the work subject to MnDOT State Aid, county, and city requirements.
POLICY Federal communications regulators reopened the record on what counts as an undertaking under historic preservation law. A further notice of proposed rulemaking published Oct. 19 at 91 FR 66062 carries docket WT 25-217 and item FCC 26-64. It asks whether activities related to the deployment and operation of communications infrastructure fall within the scope of “undertaking” under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and whether such deployments are agency actions subject to the Endangered Species Act. The commission also seeks comment on how it implements section 106 and on other practices it could adopt to add efficiency and predictability. Comments close Dec. 3.
Source: Federal Register, Oct. 19
ENG One commissioner dissented as federal energy regulators moved to retire air dispersion modeling from gas project reviews. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a draft policy statement on Oct. 15 in docket PL26-3-000 under which it would no longer request the modeling from Natural Gas Act applicants and would no longer rely on it to assess operational air quality effects under the National Environmental Policy Act, using other applicant-submitted information and information identified by staff instead. Air dispersion models simulate how a project’s emissions spread and interact with background pollution and emissions from nearby sources. Chairman Laura Swett said the models have been “an unnecessary source of confusion, delay and litigation risk.” Commissioner Judy Chang called the models the best available tool for understanding local and regional air impacts short of physical monitors. Utility Dive reported the vote at 4 to 1. Comments on implementing the draft close Nov. 16. The commission separately proposed a three-tier blanket authorization framework for liquefied natural gas projects in docket RM26-2-001, under which some activities would proceed without an application, some would carry a 60-day notice and comment period, and adding liquefaction trains, tanks, or marine berths at an existing plant would carry 90 days.
Sources: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Oct. 15; Utility Dive, Oct. 16
FUNDING The Federal Highway Administration disclosed $20 million for digital infrastructure on the federal-aid highway system. A Paperwork Reduction Act notice published Oct. 19 at 91 FR 66192 describes the fiscal 2026 Great American Digital Corridors program, authorized under section 11101(c)(1)(D) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to carry out the Intelligent Transportation Systems program. The money funds competitive cost-reimbursable cooperative agreements for digital feeds of work zones, lane closures, and other real-time operating conditions. The federal share is 100 percent and requires no non-federal match. Eligible entities include states, local and tribal governments, transit agencies, public toll authorities, metropolitan planning organizations, other political subdivisions, private entities, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions, and a private entity or institution may lead a project only as part of a consortium with other eligible entities. FHWA expects 20 applicants. Comments on the collection close Dec. 15, and the notice of funding opportunity has not posted as of this morning. The docket is FHWA-2026-1156.
Source: Federal Register, Oct. 19
PROJECTS Marshall gets a single-lane roundabout on Highway 19 today. MnDOT said the $25.7 million Highway 19/College Drive reconstruction will open by the end of the day. The work ran from Marlene Street through the Bruce Street intersection and included the roundabout at Highway 19, Country Club Drive, and South Second Street, replacement of sanitary sewer and water main utilities, enhanced safety traffic control features, and a bicycle lane from Marlene Street to just west of Fairgrounds Road. Construction began in 2025 as a partnership between the city of Marshall and MnDOT. R&G Construction was the contractor.
Source: MnDOT, Oct. 16
Final submissions and fees for ACEC Minnesota’s Engineering Excellence Awards are due Thursday, Oct. 29, with winning projects recognized at the Feb. 18, 2027 gala. The four-session Emerging Leaders program for early-career staff opens Oct. 22, and public sales are open for the Minnesota Transportation Conference.
State
MnDOT · Highway 13 regional traffic modeling (1064206) · due Oct. 20 at 2pm · Announcement
MnDOT · 20-year state highway investment plan update (1064276) · due Oct. 23 at 2pm · RFP
Minnesota Zoo · architecture design, Center for Wildlife Conservation (5135) · due Oct. 26 · MNBuys
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · construction administration, Minnesota Valley Nine Mile (5151) · due Nov. 4 · MNBuys
State of Minnesota · north and northeast Minnesota source water assessment (5152) · due Nov. 4 · MNBuys
MnDOT · final design, Highway 61 from CSAH 14 to Reservation River Road (1064419) · due Nov. 5 at 2pm · Announcement
State Historic Preservation Office · Minnesota River cultural resources (5126 and 5131) · due Nov. 9 and Nov. 15 · MNBuys
State Historic Preservation Office · Roseau River cultural resources (5127 and 5132) · due Nov. 9 and Nov. 15 · MNBuys
MnDOT · general engineering consultant preconstruction services master contract (1263) · due Nov. 17 at 2pm · RFP
Higher education
University of Minnesota · Saint Paul residence hall architectural design (02-402-27-4235) · due Oct. 28 at 2pm · Bid opportunity
Regional
Metropolitan Council · Interceptor 1-MS-100 condition assessment (26P276) · pre-solicitation meeting Oct. 20 at 2pm · Notice
Counties
Washington County · CSAH 18 at CSAH 19 roundabout modification design · due Nov. 6 at 3pm · RFP
Washington County · final design engineering, CSAH 13 (Ideal Avenue) · due Nov. 6 at 4:30pm · RFP
Cities
City of Foley · general municipal engineering services · due Oct. 28 at 4pm · RFP
City of Hutchinson · Safe Streets and Roads Action Plan · due Nov. 12 at 1pm · RFP
Airports
City of Maple Lake · airport engineering and planning services, Bill Mavencamp Sr. Field · due Oct. 26 · RFQ
Federal
USDA Forest Service · cultural resource evaluation and documentation, Watford City, North Dakota (1284LM27Q0001) · due Oct. 27 at 5pm · Combined synopsis
U.S. Army Reserve 88th Readiness Division · energy savings performance contract, Minnesota and Wisconsin facilities (SP060427R0400) · due Nov. 2 at 3pm eastern · Notice of opportunity
Anticipated
MnDOT · 76th Street at I-35W safety study, Richfield · verified Oct. 15 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · bridge preservation design, SP 2735-212 · verified Oct. 14 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · metro bridge maintenance post-tensioning grout investigation scoping · verified Oct. 13 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 55 Golden Valley to Medina reconnecting communities study · verified Oct. 9 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · District 2 US 75 final design through Donaldson and Kennedy · verified Oct. 6 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · metro-wide utility potholing · verified Oct. 2 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · multi-award overhead sign structures and sign panels · verified Oct. 1 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · metro spot mobility implementation analysis and workplan · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · I-35E spot mobility · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Rethinking I-94 environmental impact statement contract, SP 6282-217 · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 61 Forest Lake pre-scoping · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 52, Highway 55 and County Road 42 phase 2 study · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 52 Lafayette Bridge alternatives analysis and preliminary design · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 95 southern Washington County corridor planning study · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · 2027 construction inspection, six consultant inspectors · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Robert Street construction administration, SP 6217-50 · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 23 and I-94 Rockville interchange traffic safety and pre-design study · verified Sept. 11 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · US 169 Elk River to Princeton traffic safety pre-design study · verified Sept. 11 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · statewide active transportation planning and implementation assistance · verified Aug. 17 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 51 Snelling Avenue planning coordination and study · verified Aug. 4 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · bridge construction manual development · verified July 30 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · carbon emissions tool project-level offset methodology · verified May 28 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · bridge management plans for the Mendota, Winona Truss and Third Avenue bridges · verified April 29 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · District 8 corridor study, SP 3411-97 · verified April 16 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · construction staging scoping assistance · verified Dec. 22, 2025 · Potential projects list
Minnesota
MnDOT · draft statewide Bicycle+ System Plan · comments close Oct. 23 · Notice
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency · Dem-Con Landfill airspace conversion final environmental impact statement (SW-290) · comments close Oct. 27 · Notice
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission · Granite City battery storage site permit application (ESS-26-248) · comments close Nov. 3 · Notice
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission · Castle Rock battery storage draft site permit (ESS-25-430) · comments close Nov. 4 at 4:30pm · Notice
Olmsted County and Rochester · South Branch Cascade Creek stream restoration environmental assessment worksheet · comments close Nov. 5 · Notice
City of Buffalo · Buffalo downtown redevelopment environmental assessment worksheet · comments close Nov. 12 · Notice
Federal
FAR Council · FAR Case 2026-010, architect-engineer and construction contracting · comments close Oct. 19 · Notice
Federal Highway Administration · Georgia environmental review responsibilities · comments close Nov. 2 · Notice
USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service · Rural Energy for America Program final rule · comments close Nov. 2 · Notice
General Services Administration · GSAR Case 2026-G502, utility services · comments close Nov. 4 · Notice
Environmental Protection Agency · initial designations for the 2024 annual fine particulate standard · comments close Nov. 5 · Notice
Federal Emergency Management Agency · elevation and floodproofing certificate collection · comments close Nov. 6 · Notice
Homeland Security · optional practical training fees · comments close Nov. 9 · Notice
Homeland Security · removing deference to prior USCIS determinations of eligibility · comments close Nov. 13 · Notice
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission · draft policy statement on air dispersion modeling in gas project reviews (PL26-3-000) · comments close Nov. 16 · Notice
Federal Transit Administration · proposed Capital Investment Grants policy guidance · comments close Nov. 16 · Notice
Environmental Protection Agency · greenhouse gas reporting deadline extension for reporting year 2025 · comments close Nov. 30 · Notice
Federal Communications Commission · section 106 undertaking scope for communications infrastructure (WT 25-217) · comments close Dec. 3 · Notice
The (Almost) Daily Brief publishes most weekdays: policy, funding, workforce, and industry news for Minnesota’s engineering firms, in a few minutes of reading.