The Minnesota Senate on Friday approved $7.5 million to go toward dredging Albert Lea’s Fountain Lake.

The measure was part of an almost $1 billion borrowing and cash package for construction projects. The package was earlier approved by the House and sent to Gov. Mark Dayton for his signature.

The bonding bill vote was 47-17, easily exceeding the required three-fifths majority.

A separate $200 million cash package for public infrastructure projects, including Albert Lea’s dredging project, passed 44-19.

“It’s a very exciting day for Albert Lea,” said District 27 Sen. Dan Sparks. “I think the final push over the finish line has been very gratifying. I’ve never worked so hard in my career here in St. Paul to get a project fully funded.”

Sparks said it took a group effort to pass the request, and he is glad it passed this year.

Shell Rock River Watershed District Administrator Brett Behnke said the extension of the watershed district’s local option sales tax is also awaiting the signature of the governor, along with a $700,000 grant through the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council for a fish barrier on Albert Lea Lake dam.

Adding up the money for the dredging, the grant and the extension of the sales tax, Behnke said the Legislature has paved the way for more than $11 million in funding that will be able to go toward improving area lakes. The extension of the sales tax will bring in an additional $3.2 million itself.

Watershed and city officials have said previously the dredging project is necessary because Fountain Lake has become filled with sediment — as much as 5 to 8 feet in some areas. The accumulation has resulted in water quality impairment and large algae blooms.

The entire project is estimated at $15 million, with the other half of the cost coming from the local-option sales tax. The state funds would go toward engineering, design, permitting and land acquisition for the sediment removal and cleanup of the lake.

Local leaders have lobbied the dredging project would increase economic development for Albert Lea and the state through increased tourism, spending and strengthening the economy of southern Minnesota.

Another Albert Lea project gaining support was the extension of the Blazing Star Trail from Myre-Big Island State Park to Hayward. About $430,000 was included for this effort.

Albert Lea is also eligible for funding through military affairs asset preservation and the wastewater infrastructure fund.

“Community members deserve a lot of credit for getting state funding for these local projects,” said District 27A Rep. Shannon Savick, DFL-Wells, in a news release. “The Fountain Lake and Blazing Star Trail projects will both improve our community, and I’m happy to see them funded.”

The construction package approved includes everything from hiking trails to prison repairs to laboratories on college campuses.

The bonding bill included about $2.16 million to extend the Shooting Star Trail from Rose Creek to Austin — a goal local trail enthusiasts have worked toward for decades.

Both Sparks and Rep. Jeanne Poppe, both DFL-Austin, voted for the final bills.

“We knew it was a top propriety,” Sparks said, who added it was one of the highest ranked trail projects at the session.

The largest single item is $126 million to complete the Capitol renovation. The smallest is $78,000 for work on a historic bridge in Hanover. It also includes $22 million for the Lewis and Clark water project in southwestern Minnesota.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sales tax extension clears House and Senate 

The House and Senate on Friday approved the Lakes Foundation of Albert Lea’s request to extend the city’s local-option sales tax another five years.

The law is expected to capture an additional $3 million in voter-approved sales tax revenue for the Shell Rock River Watershed District. Funding will go toward restoring Albert Lea lakes.

“It has certainly been an emotional session,” said Lakes Foundation President Laura Lunde.