Case Study: Brooten’s Strategic Intermodal Development

Golden Shovel works with Bollig Engineering, a company that specializes in the planning, funding, management, and execution of civil engineering projects. We are bringing you this case study as an example of the positive impact infrastructure upgrades can have on your community.

Strengthening a City by Connecting Land, Air, and Rail

With a population of just 752, the City of Brooten, Minnesota, is proof that size doesn’t limit potential, especially when a city takes a strategic, long-term view of its assets. What began as a need to upgrade infrastructure has evolved into a dynamic, intermodal hub that connects roadway, rail, and aviation, strengthening Brooten’s capacity to grow, serve, and thrive.

As City Engineer, Bollig Engineering has partnered with Brooten on over 27 infrastructure projects (municipal and airport) throughout the years. Together, they’ve transformed challenges into opportunities using a strategic process grounded in planning, funding alignment, and community storytelling.

The Challenge 

Brooten faced a familiar set of rural challenges:

• Aging infrastructure and stormwater issues in its downtown
• A limited local budget to support large-scale improvements
• Underutilized industrial park and airport facilities
• A need to coordinate with multiple agencies across modes of transportation

But Brooten’s leadership had a vision—and trusted Bollig Engineering to help bring it to life.

The Strategy

Instead of tackling projects one at a time, Brooten and Bollig took a 30,000-foot view—literally and figuratively. By identifying the city’s needs across sectors and treating them as interconnected opportunities, the team was able to:

1. Create a Master Plan – In 2010, Bollig assisted Brooten in developing a unified strategy for its industrial park and municipal airport, laying the foundation for years of coordinated growth.
2. Bundle Infrastructure Projects – Roadway, stormwater, watermain, sanitary sewer, sidewalks, and lighting were planned and bid as integrated packages, resulting in reduced overall costs and improved timelines.
3. Tell a Compelling Funding Story – Bollig helped the City articulate a vision that attracted 12 funding sources, including MnDOT and FAA aviation grants, ultimately covering 72% of nearly $9 million in project costs.
4. Design for Intermodal Efficiency – Improvements near the industrial park allowed better flow between railway, highways, and air transportation, unlocking new economic development opportunities.

The Solutions 

Downtown & Highway 18 Revitalization

• Reconstructed critical roadway infrastructure through the heart of downtown
• Upgraded sidewalks to meet ADA compliance
• Installed new decorative street lighting and coordinated with businesses to update awnings and signage

Industrial Park Upgrades

• Realigned roads for better truck access and rail integration
• Extended municipal water and sanitary sewer to future development lots
• Upgraded the City's lift station to accommodate expanded development in the industrial park
• Added signal lights and turn-lane safety improvements at the rail crossing

Airport Improvements

• Designed and constructed a new terminal building and meeting center
• Installed improved runway lighting and signage
• Implemented a self-service 100LL aviation fuel system with remote tracking, increasing both service to pilots and potential revenue for the City

Intermodal Vision, Rural Impact

What sets Brooten apart isn’t just the number of projects, but how they were strategically aligned. By working with one engineering partner for both city infrastructure and airport needs, Brooten was able to treat these projects as a comprehensive solution for the city as a whole—leveraging improvements to one component to benefit and strengthen others, the City avoided duplication of effort, reduced costs, and created cohesive design solutions that leveraged improvements in each sector for the benefit of the whole City.

Brooten’s intermodal improvements have created: 

• Safer and more efficient freight access
• Increased airport utility and economic potential
• Infrastructure that supports business attraction and retention

In many communities, rail, roadway, and airport projects are tackled in isolation. Brooten is proof that with vision, collaboration, and the right partner, a small city can do big things.

Results

• Over $6.5 million in grant funding secured
• 12 coordinated funding sources
• Integrated planning and design across sectors
• Improved safety, accessibility, and economic opportunity

Why It Matters

At Bollig Engineering, we believe in the future of rural communities, and Brooten is living proof that small cities can successfully think big. By aligning funding, infrastructure, and long-term community needs, Brooten has established itself as a regional model for intermodal integration.

It’s also a shining example of what can happen when neighbors serve neighbors—working together to strengthen, preserve, and transform the quality of life in their communities.

About Bollig Engineering

Bollig Engineering is a civil engineering firm dedicated to helping communities thrive. With a focus on strategic planning, funding acquisition, and infrastructure design, Bollig partners with local leaders to develop long-term, people-first solutions. Our team specializes in both municipal and airport engineering, helping cities leverage integrated infrastructure for economic development and quality of life. Learn more at bollig-engineering.com.