MARSHALL (KMHL) – The Senate’s Capital Investment Committee is kicking off their bonding tour of southwest Minnesota today.

Their tour will start in Shakopee and wind its way through Mankato and New Ulm today then Fairmont and Marshall tomorrow, before finishing up on Thursday in Redwood Falls, Morton and Willmar.

Lawmakers are hoping to learn more about proposed construction projects seeking state funding that are important to the region, ahead of this year’s legislative session.

Lawmakers have said there are more than $5 billion in requests for state bonding dollars.

In Marshall on Wednesday, lawmakers plan to tour the Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water System and also stop at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Other projects lawmakers are hoping to learn about include the expansion of U.S. Highway 14 to four lanes from New Ulm to Nicollet. They also plan to tour the Red Rock Rural Water System Lakes Area Regional Expansion Project near Jeffers as well.

On Thursday, lawmakers will view the Redwood Falls Municipal Airport runway and lighting replacement project – and visit with the Highway 23 Coalition during a stop in Willmar.

Democrats are pushing for a bonding bill north of $3 billion dollars, while Republicans in the Senate have not been willing to consider a number any where near that amount.