b'MinnesotaNorth Dakota Project UpdatesNORTHLAND RELIABILITY PROJECTBENTON COUNTY, MNI-94 GAPALBERTVILLE AND MONTICELLO, WRIGHT COUNTY, MN By Eric Engstrom - Business Agent By Eric Engstrom - Business Agent The Northland Reliability Project is essential for ensuring reliable service in Northern and Central Minnesota and the Greater Upper MidwestThe I-94 GAP will expand the highway to six lanes, three in each direction, to close the gap between Albertville and MonticelloRegion. This project features two major segments along with several significant improvements that will enhance our service capabilities. in Wright County. All six lanes are expected to open late fall 2026.Segment One: New double circuit 345-kV line: General Contractor:Subcontractors: Shafer ContractingNorth Pine Aggregate WaterH&RNorby Land CorpRosti ConstructionVeit & Company, Inc. Construct approximately 140 miles of new 345-kV double-circuit transmission lines, typically located near existing transmission line corridors,extending from Minnesota Powers Iron Range Substation in Itasca County to Great River Energys Benton County Substation in BentonSummary of Work: County, close to St. Cloud.Reconstruct the road surfaceSegment Two: Replace two existing transmission lines:Add a third westbound lane from Co. Rd. 37 in Albertville to west of Hwy 25 in MonticelloReplace an approximately 20-mile, 230-kV transmission line with two 345-kV circuits running from the Benton County Substation to a new Add a third eastbound lane from west of Hwy 25 in Monticello to Co. Rd. 19 in Albertville facility called the Big Oaks Substation, located in Sherburne County. The new circuits will follow existing transmission corridors and be Replace the westbound bridge over Wright Co. Rd. 19 in Albertville supported by double-circuit 345-kV structures. Additionally, the Big Oaks Substation is part of a separate project known as the Widen the westbound bridge over Co. Rd. 75 in Monticello Alexandria to Big Oaks project. Replace an approximately 20-mile, 345-kV power line from the Great River Energy Substation in Benton County to the Sherco Substation Replace or repair underground utilities in Sherburne County along existing transmission corridors using double-circuit 345-kV structures. Install two noise walls along I-94 in the Monticello areaAdditional project improvements:-South side of EB I-94 east of Wright Co. Rd. 18/Fenning Ave. -North side of WB I-94, east of Broadway St. Expand the existing Iron Range Substation, located near Grand Rapids, and the Benton County Substation, situated near St. Cloud. Install a new substation at or near the existing Riverton Substation and reconfigure the current transmission lines in the Riverton area. The contractors contributing to this project are Michels Utility Services and Rachel Contracting.42 local 563 laborers union /563 news /2025-2026 newsletterlocal 563 laborers union /563 news /2025-2026 newsletter 43'