By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently met with the Dundas City Council about replacing the stoplight at Highway 3 and Hester Street near the Kwik Trip. The light at the intersection hangs by wire and not fixed posts, it is the only stoplight of its kind remaining in Southern Minnesota on a state highway. Because of safety concerns and basic maintenance, MNDOT is looking to replace the light. Since Hester Street is a local street maintained by Dundas, MNDOT is proposing a 50/50 cost-sharing agreement for the stoplight.
“They have a new design standard in 2025. They haven’t installed any of these traffic signal apparatus yet, so they’re not really sure about the price of them by their estimating a cost of $900,000.” – Jenelle Teppen, Dundas City Administrator on the KYMN Morning Show
This would mean that Dundas would pay approximately $450,000 for the project. Teppen described the number as “laughable,” and the cost was too high for the city to take on.
For context, according to the recently audited budget of the city, last year Dundas’ total general fund budget was $1.4 million. Teppen stated that adding to the struggle was that there were little additional funds the city could apply for or receive:
“We have not been able to identify any grant or funding opportunities that would assist in the city’s share. We can look at it in 2026, working with Representative Craig and Senator Klobuchar’s office and congressionally directed spending, which is like their earmark funds for each of their areas.” – Jenelle Teppen, Dundas City Administrator on the KYMN Morning Show
Teppen stated that the Council agreed that the cost was unacceptable for the city, and going forward, city staff were instructed to work to try and receive earmarked funds from the Federal government.
Read Teppens full memo to the City Council prior to the meeting here.
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