Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Minnesota Highway Freight Program

About the program

Freight truck travelling on the highway.
Minnesota Highway Freight Program goals include infrastructure and operational improvements to U.S. highways, and improving safety, security, efficiency and resiliency of freight transport.

The Minnesota Highway Freight Program is a grant program designed to improve freight safety, mobility, intermodal facilities and first and last mile connections to key destinations.

Minnesota cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations, tribal governments, ports, airports, railroads and others may apply for funding for roadway, railroad safety, port and intermodal projects that benefit freight throughout the state.

Some examples of freight projects that may be funded through the program are:

  • Railroad at-grade crossing improvements
  • Truck parking
  • Weigh station improvements
  • Freight mobility projects, such as interchanges or bypass lanes to address freight bottlenecks 
  • Improving access to freight-generating facilities or industrial areas
  • Intermodal projects, such as airport or other transfer stations and ports and waterways

Funding for the Minnesota Highway Freight Program comes from the federal National Highway Freight Program and state Trunk Highway funds that provide state support to make freight improvements. Freight improvements that are funded align with the investment direction in the State Freight Plan.

Minnesota Highway Freight Program Funding

Announcement of Awards

MnDOT is pleased to announce awards from the third round of the MHFP solicitation. Nearly $63 million of federal funding has been selected for award in this round of MHFP funding, including approximately $21million for each fiscal year 2026–2028. In October, a selection committee met to evaluate the 25 applications received in this round of the program and selected 12 applications for awards representing a blend of projects in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.

These 12 infrastructure projects will improve freight mobility, safety, first and last-mile freight and intermodal connections throughout Minnesota. In addition, three MnDOT planning projects were also funded via the solicitation.

The awards are the result of a third round of targeted freight funding offered to MnDOT Districts, Minnesota cities, counties, ports, airports and railroads through the competitive Minnesota Highway Freight Program. The funded projects apply to fiscal years 2026 – 2028.

2023 third round program results

Previously awarded projects and National Highway Freight Network map

Previously selected projects and scores

2020 second round program results

2017 first round program results