Lt. Governor Smith and Commissioner Zelle urged Legislature to pass a comprehensive, long-term transportation funding solution
ST. PAUL, MN – Lt. Governor Tina Smith and Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle today participated in a roundtable discussion in Marshall focused on the need for a comprehensive transportation plan. Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith have proposed a
21st Century transportation plan that would make the sustainable, long-term investments necessary to build a better transportation network, spur Minnesota’s innovation economy forward, and generate the great jobs of the future.
“Minnesota’s roads, bridges, and transit networks form the backbone of our economy. After decades of decline, we must invest in these systems to protect Minnesota's long-term economic vitality,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “The plan proposed by Democrats would provide the resources we need to create a 21st Century transportation system and build an economy that works for all Minnesotans, everywhere in Minnesota.”
Modern roads, bridges, and transit systems are the foundation of an economy that works for all Minnesotans, everywhere in Minnesota. Businesses statewide need reliable roads and bridges to export their ideas and innovations to consumers around the globe. To attract and retain the best workers, Minnesota needs roadways, bridges, and transit systems that make it easy to get to work safely, affordably, and on-time.
“The state’s foremost experts agree on two things: this problem is real, and it cannot be resolved without a major investment,” said Transportation Commissioner Zelle. “But Minnesotans didn’t need a bipartisan panel of experts to tell them what they already know – that our transportation system is in serious disrepair, and getting worse. This problem presents us with two simple and starkly different options: invest for the future, or do nothing and let the problem get much worse.”
More Funding for Area Cities, Counties, and Townships
Under the Governor and Lt. Governor’s plan, southwest Minnesota communities and counties would receive nearly $6.2 million per year for local bridge and roads repairs:
Building on Recent Investments in Highway 23
During the 2013 and 2014 legislative sessions, Governor Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature invested $331 million in the state’s
Corridors of Commerce initiative, which funds projects that strengthen the state’s transportation system by adding capacity, reducing congestion, and improving the movement of freight and commerce across Minnesota.
Overall, MnDOT has awarded up to $21.3 million in Corridors of Commerce funding to make targeted improvements along Highway 23. Those projects, which are already getting underway, have included the construction of passing lanes from Willmar through Marshall and Pipestone to Interstate 90.
Driving Minnesota Forward
High-quality, modern transportation infrastructure drives economic growth and competitiveness. That’s why Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith support a
transportation investment that will reinvigorate Minnesota’s transportation systems – ensuring that we have a statewide transportation solution that works for all Minnesotans.
- Investing in Roads and Bridges – Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith’s transportation solution would repair or replace 2,200 miles of roads and 330 bridges statewide. The plan would also give local leaders the resources and flexibility to repair and replace local roads and bridges in their communities by directing over 40 percent of the new revenues to cities, counties, and townships.
- Transit for Growing Economies – Greater Minnesota seniors, commuters, and students, and others unable to drive, are expected to take an additional 4.3 million transit trips every year by 2040. To grow Minnesota’s regional centers and support innovation, the Governor and Lt. Governor’s plan would add 500,000 additional hours of service annually in Greater Minnesota – meeting 90 percent of the need.
- Improving Rail Safety and Reducing Delays – Every day, trains carrying oil and other hazardous materials pass through Minnesota. These trains present real risks to public safety and our natural resources. That is why Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor’s proposal would make strategic investments in rail safety improvements to improve the safety of Minnesotans living near railway and alleviate traffic for businesses that are backed up by train delays. Overall, their proposal would fund 75 priority railway infrastructure improvements necessary to improve safety and spur Minnesota’s economy forward.
A State of Disrepair
· Aging Roads and Bridges – Right now, more than half of Minnesota’s roads are more than 50 years old, and 40 percent of the state’s bridges are more than 40 years old. In just the next three years alone, one in five Minnesota roads will pass their useful life. And in the next ten years, nearly 40 percent of our roads will be past their useful life.
· High Costs for Commuters and Businesses – Poor roads cost Minnesota motorists $1.2 billion every year in extra vehicle repairs, and Minnesota businesses spend an extra $232 million each year on additional freight transportation costs caused by traffic congestion.
· A $6 Billion Problem – Last year, Governor Dayton and legislative leaders reached agreement on the scope of Minnesota’s growing transportation needs. Currently, Minnesota faces a $6 billion funding gap for state highways over the next decade that will only get bigger the longer we wait. Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith remain committed to reaching a common ground, common sense solution this year on how to fund a long-term, comprehensive transportation solution to build a better Minnesota for everyone, everywhere in our state.
FACT SHEET: Fixing Our Roads, Bridges, and Transit Systems [
Link]
FACT SHEET: Transportation Investments Listed by County, City [
Link]
