The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a $1 million Local Partnership Program grant through the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) at the Oct. 14 county board meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater.

The grant will be used to fund construction for the County 50 and Trunk Highway 61 improvement project in Forest Lake. The project aims to provide long-term safety improvements, including safe and accessible crossings of Highway 61 for community members and multi-modal trail users, improved access and operations for current and future vehicle traffic volumes, and stormwater management from new roadway and trail surfaces.

The project is in the preliminary design phase, and construction is anticipated to begin in 2028.

Also in news from Oct. 14, the Washington County Board received the county’s annual report on community indicators.

For the 25th consecutive year, Washington County completed an annual report highlighting performance measures and indicators. The Annual Report on Community Indicators, formerly the Performance Measures & Indicators Report, provides measures and information to support decision-making and drive continuous improvement efforts.

The county’s 12 departments collected and tracked the 2024 measurement data. The report’s 27 indicators are organized around the four priorities of the 2024-2029 Countywide Strategic Plan. These four priorities, along with their goals and measures, guide the county’s work toward real results and its long-term vision:

• Organizational Excellence

• Safe Communities and Thriving People

• Strong and Sustainable Environment

• Financial Health and Capacity

The document will be available at the county’s libraries and service centers, and on the county’s website at WashingtonCountyMN.gov/PerformanceMeasures.