 The 2017 row construction season is ready to begin and there are more than 200 road and bridge jobs totaling one billion dollars. The Minnesota Department of Transportation unveiled its massive list of projects for this year earlier today, though many of those projects are already underway. In Greater Minnesota, some of the construction projects include the resurfacing of Highway 197 in Bemidji and Highway 2 in Bemidji and Deer River. Now large-scale projects include Highway 371 through Niswa, Pequot Lakes and Jenkins, Highway 371B in Brainerd, and Highway 84 from Pine River to Longville. MnDOT says that the latest 20-year plan forecasts an $18 million budget shortfall in anticipated revenue that MnDOT needs to operate competitively. In addition to row construction, MnDOT also announced 57 additional airport and railroad projects totaling $47 million. Now those projects are outside of the state row construction program. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.