ST. PAUL, MN - In January, Governor Mark Dayton /governor/assets/transportation_overview_fact_sheet.pdf_tcm1055-91874.pdfproposed an honest, straightforward plan to fix Minnesota's aging, under-funded transportation system and build the infrastructure necessary to meet the demands of a growing population and an expanding state economy.

Since that time, Governor Dayton, Lt. Governor Tina Smith, and Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle have been traveling the state, talking to Minnesotans about the Governor's transportation proposal, and local leaders agree - the time to act is now.

Below is what Minnesota mayors, city councilmembers, and county commissioners are saying about Governor Dayton's proposed investments in transportation.

Statements of Support from Minnesota Mayors

"Governor Dayton has proposed a bold and aggressive transportation plan for the State of Minnesota which I fully support. Our roads and bridges are in serious need of repair and improvement! Southeast Minnesota has an above average number of bridges in need and safe travel on our all roads, not only locally but throughout the state is an absolute must."

- Mayor Ardell Brede, Rochester

"As Mayor of the City of Owatonna I support the Governor's effort to raise additional revenue for roads and bridges for the State of Minnesota. We need the Legislature to find a bipartisan solution for the additional revenue required. We cannot continue to maintain our roads with the current funding, additional funding is required."

- Mayor Tom Kuntz, Owatonna

Transportation investment, especially the completion of the expansion of Highway 14, is critically important for the future of the city of New Ulm, Brown, Nicollet and Dodge Counties plus the complete Corridor. I support the comprehensive, sustainable solution outlined in Governor Dayton's transportation budget proposal.

- Mayor Robert Beussman, New Ulm

The construction of the much awaited and needed four lanes of MN highway 23 from New London to Paynesville would enhance the vitality of our town and surrounding area. Traffic in both directions would be safer and travel times reduced. The whole community will benefit from the modernization of this heavily travelled road.

- Mayor Bill Gossman, New London

"We are really excited to be looking at a really comprehensive budget here. The mayors of the metropolitan area, and the outstate mayors, support a long-term, sustainable bill that not only addresses this congestion, but addresses the city streets. All our city streets, we know, are crumbling and potholes are everywhere there too - and it's too expensive for cities to take on all by themselves."

- Mayor Debbie Goettel, Richfield

I would like to commend the Governor for really putting forth a plan that does identify and prioritize the needs of the State of Minnesota. I think what's on the table now is something that can work for the City of Bloomington, the City of Richfield, and really for the whole region.

- Mayor Gene Winstead, Bloomington

Transportation investment, especially projects that support the tourism industry and the movement of goods and services, such as the proposed T.H. 25 bridge replacement, are critically important the future economic well-being of the Brainerd Lakes area. I am very supportive of a comprehensive long term, sustainable, and predictable funding solution to solve Minnesota's aging transportation system needs.

- Mayor James Wallin, Brainerd

Marshall is the economic engine of Southwest Minnesota and is served by four Minnesota State Highways; Hwy 23, Hwy 59, Hwy 19, Hwy 68. Marshall has a population of approximately 14,000 and a workforce employed in Marshall of nearly 12,000 people. Roughly half of Marshall Workforce lives outside the city in townships and communities in a 30 to 50 mile distance. The transportation network in the Marshall region is very important for workers to safely travel to and from their work in Marshall on a daily basis.

"Much of Southwest Minnesota is not served by four lane roadways resulting in safety concerns and inhibited economic development that is dependent on freight movement. The long term goal to benefit economic growth in Southwest Minnesota is to develop a plan to upgrade Highway 23 to four lanes from Willmar Minnesota to Interstate 90 in Rock County and to improve Highway 212 from Granite Falls Minnesota to Carver Minnesota, including upgrading the two 2 lane gaps in Carver County to four lane roadways. I support a comprehensive, straightforward solution to fix Minnesota's aging transportation system.

- Mayor Bob Byrnes, Marshall

The citizens of North Mankato and the greater Mankato metropolitan statistical area (MSA) have a heightened appreciation of the need for a quality, safe highway system after living along Highway 14, Minnesota's most dangerous 2 lane highway. Our citizens and businesses have been ardent supporters of the Highway 14 Partnership's efforts to attract transportation system funding for over 40 years to address this dangerous stretch of highway. We are strong supporters of a dedicated, long-term, sustainable funding strategy to maintain and improve Minnesota's rapidly deteriorating highway infrastructure. Highway accessibility directly impacts our community's viability as one of Minnesota is top economic generators.

"Minnesota can no longer afford the haphazard, politicized Band-Aid financing approach to sustain one of the state's largest assets, its highway system. Therefore, we applaud Governor Dayton's bold leadership in introducing a $6 billion comprehensive highway funding plan.

- Mayor Mark Dehen, North Mankato

Browns Valley struggles like many outstate communities in Minnesota. The lack of funding to repair and replace infrastructure has always been and will continue to be a major issue in our community. City streets continue to degrade as the city does not have the resources to repair or replace them. The cost of oil poses a drastic effect on the cost of paving roads as it is reflected in the price of fuel for equipment and asphalt.

"The investment in transportation is critically important for the future of Browns Valley and West Central Minnesota. I support a comprehensive, straightforward solution to fix Minnesota's aging transportation system.

- Mayor Harold Hansen, Browns Valley

As an international transportation hub featuring a significant bulk cargo economy, Duluth understands the critical importance of Minnesota's investment in all modes of transportation. We strongly support the Governor's plan and his investments that meet the needs of both residents and industry. The Governor understands that transportation needs include local roads and transit in addition to highways and bridges. We've got to get this right - we need to see bold leadership from state officials this session.

- Mayor Don Ness, Duluth

The City of Cottage Grove has a consistent record of support of both transportation and transit investment not only in our community but also investments elsewhere in the Twin Cities and State of Minnesota. We have been working over the past several years in moving important State and regional transportation projects forward for our area that most likely will not be constructed for years to come due to lack of State resources. Important State Highway 61 interchanges within our community at Innovation Road (providing access to 3M Cottage Grove and a growing retail area) and 80th Street (providing access to our largest commercial corridor) are rapidly approaching functional obsolescence. Hopefully, the State Legislature will push a proactive transportation agenda to respond to these and other critical state, regional, and local transportation projects.

- Mayor Myron Bailey, Cottage Grove

The City of Waite Park has been challenged to find stable funding sources for transportation, making it difficult for us to even address basic transportation needs for today and tomorrow. Transportation investment, especially Graniteview Road and Second Avenue South are critically important for the future of the City of Waite Park. I support a comprehensive, straightforward solution to fix Minnesota's aging transportation system.

- Mayor Richard Miller, Waite Park

In the Bemidji area, we depend on good roads to move wood to our mills, deliver products and services to our community, welcome visitors, and transport students safely to school. Greater Minnesota needs long-term transportation funding dedicated to roads and bridges that reduces the backlog of rural transportation projects.

- Mayor Rita Albrecht, Bemidji

Transportation investment especially in greater Minnesota is vital to our economy. Sleepy Eye has an extraordinary amount of traffic because of the products produced locally. Getting these products to market is very important and our roads are the main mode of moving these goods, and they require well maintained roadways. We need to maintain the infrastructure we have and improve it for safety as well as a mode of transfer of commodities. Funds should be dedicated each year for maintenance and improvement and I support a comprehensive, straightforward solution to fix Minnesota's aging transportation system.

- Mayor Jim Broich, Sleepy Eye

Moorhead is a thriving city on the western edge of Minnesota at the gateway of an economic boom. The growth of our community and the increase in rail traffic has created new and urgent challenges that the city of Moorhead cannot address alone. My constituents want safe streets and a reliable way to get to work, school, and into the community, and we need a long term funding solution to make sure this need is met. I support Governor Dayton's work to find an honest, straightforward plan to address the problems I see in my city every day.

- Mayor Del Rae Williams, Moorhead

Minnesota needs a multimodal transportation plan that will serve generations to come. Governor Dayton's plan makes the right investments in the right places, and the Legislature shouldn't hesitate to act.

- Mayor Peter Lindstrom, Falcon Heights

Transportation investment, especially Hwy 610 completion, Hwy 252 in Brooklyn Center to Brooklyn Park are critically important for the future of Brooklyn Center and the North West Metro Region. I support Governor Dayton's proposal to address Minnesota's transportation needs with a long-term, comprehensive solutions, that address and dedicate funding streams and resources to maintaining and improving our transportation systems.

- Mayor Tim Willson, Brooklyn Center

The increase in rail traffic is having a large (negative) impact in the city of Coon Rapids. The City is concerned about emergency response times, and the driving public is getting frustrated in their daily commutes as well. The public deserves better.

"The City of Coon Rapids supports Governor Mark Dayton and the Legislature in developing a comprehensive railway safety solution that will not only benefit Coon Rapids but the entire state. The public should have an expectation to be able to get to work, get to their home or have emergency response arrive in a timely manner. Something must be done and the time is now.

- Mayor Jerry Koch, Coon Rapids

On behalf of the Golden Valley City Council, I would like to express the City's support of Governor Dayton's proposed Transportation Budget. The proposed budget would invest $6 billion dollars in Minnesota's transportation infrastructure, create an estimated 119,000 new jobs, and facilitate economic growth throughout the State.

"Transportation investments, especially along Trunk Highway 55 in Golden Valley, are critically important to our community's residents and businesses in order to move people, goods, and services throughout our region. Quality transportation connections between communities and regions leads to private sector investment in these local areas as well as throughout the State. The City of Golden Valley supports the comprehensive solution outlined in Governor Dayton's transportation budget proposal.

- Mayor Shep Harris, Golden Valley

Statements of Support from Minnesota City Councilmembers

"As a Highway 14 Coalition Board member I feel that it is very important to get this project done. I appreciate Governor Dayton's attention on this issue. Corridors of Commerce funding is vital to assist with this project. I support new revenue sources in order to continue on with transportation projects."

- Councilmember Kevin Raney, Owatonna

"Investing in transportation at the Local, County and State level is crucial to the success of our economy and ability to move goods and services. An increase in Municipal State Aid [MSA] would help cities to maintain and add transportation infrastructure. An increase in the gas tax would also be appropriate to help assure a stable and long-term funding of our Statewide road system. I support a comprehensive solution to our transportation system in Minnesota."

- Councilmembers Amy Braig-Lindstrom and Steve Hennes, Sartell

"Transportation investment, especially Highway 23 and I 94 to the Sartell area, are critically important for the future of Sartell. I support a comprehensive, straightforward solution to fix Minnesota's aging transportation system.

"I also would like to support extending the Northstar to Sartell. With our Mill now gone, the Mill property is a great location for the Northstar extension in Sartell. We have the necessary tracks, parking and building. The property is located near to both Highwary 15 and 10 intersections making the location an ideal place for commuters."

- Councilmember David Peterson, Sartell

The transportation conditions, primarily for roads in southwestern Minnesota, are serious and critical issues for all of Minnesota and especially the Marshall region. We need to find common ground in how we will be funding the construction and repair of many of our state roads. Marshall is in the "Donut Hole" in the state and has no access to 4 lane heavy duty roads, while our local economy is heavily supported by the hundreds of trucks daily moving product in and out of this region. We need to find a method of funding our needs over the next decade while also using what we have to the best advantage of moving product. Allowing heavier loads where applicable, while reducing axle weight could be a short term solution while we act on the long term funding issues. We need our elected officials to work together to best fund the whole state's needs for improved transportation as a long term solution.

- Councilmember John DeCramer, Marshall

"As a city council member in New London, I realize that the main function of city and state government is to maintain and improve their respective infrastructures. When state highways and local roads consist of potholes connected by large open cracks (from a distance resembling lakes connected by rivers) a long term consistent investment policy and funding thereof is a necessity. The problem calls for a public discussion which is reasonable, responsible and includes an innovative and acceptable taxing program which satisfies the many stakeholders. Do I ask for too much?"

- Councilmember John Bergman, New London

Southwest Minnesota has a lot riding on this year's transportation debate. We need faster and safer highway connections to other regions of our state to ensure greater connectivity, safety, and economic development.

- David Sturrock, Marshall City Council, Chair of Marshall Area Transportation Group

Statements of Support from Minnesota County Commissioners

For many years Olmsted County has been working with Goodhue and Dakota Counties to improve the Highway 52 Corridor and with the counties to our west to improve Highway14. Improvement in Highway 52, Highway 14 and other Corridors of Commerce are critically important for the future of Southeastern Minnesota and for our state.

"Minnesota can no longer avoid the reality that we urgently need to invest in our transportation infrastructure. I support the comprehensive, sustainable solution outlined in Governor Dayton's transportation budget proposal.

- Commissioner Sheila Kiscaden, Olmsted County

Olmsted County makes every effort to plan for the future needs of our economy and our residents. This includes paying attention to our roads and bridges. We are about to embark on our biggest transportation-related construction project year ever. While we are utilizing various funding mechanisms available to us (wheelage tax, local option sales tax, bonding, levy, etc), it is not enough. The annual funding needs in the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) system are estimated to be $450 million.

"A comprehensive transportation funding package needs to include new money and have long-term sustainability. I support the transportation investments proposed by Governor Dayton in his 2015 Budget for a Better Minnesota.

- Commissioner Jim Bier, Olmsted County

As a member of the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Transportation Committee, the National Association of Counties (NACO) Transportation Committee, and Olmsted County Board Chair, I support a transportation funding solution. Our country, our state, and our counties need a major increase in funding for roads and bridges that is sustainable, long term and dedicated. It is the only way to plan for the kind of future we all want.

- Commissioner Paul Wilson, Olmsted County

"Transportation investment, especially in our CSAH system, is critically important for the future of Southwest Minnesota. I support a solution that keeps funds dedicated to the maintenance of our aging transportation system."

- Commissioner Rick Anderson, Lyon County

"Our transportation system is vital to our rural ag businesses, farmers as well as the metro area businesses. Our roadways should be a priority to invest money in now instead of waiting. I think an upgraded railway system should also be studied as part of the transportation issue. With all the good things Minnesota has going on I believe the focus should remain on upgrading our infrastructure."

- Commissioner Steve Notch, Stearns County

"Minnesota's rural transportation system is in a downward spiral. Otter Tail County has 927 miles of road in the CSAH system. Our current CSAH funding is $6.7 million per year. Otter Tail County has identified an $11 million annual shortfall for pavement preservation. It is imperative to fill this funding gap, for the vitality and prosperity of all Minnesotans."

- Commissioner Doug Huebsch, Otter Tail County

"Minnesota's transportation system has deteriorated to the point that we need extensive help and we need it now! Our crumbling roads and bridges are raising the costs of commercial and private movement of food and other goods by the need to replace tires and other worn parts on vehicles due to the rough roads and bridges. Not only is the current structure causing greater expense it has become a question of providing a safe environment for our people to travel on. We need more funding for transportation now."

- Commissioner Tom Warmka, Faribault County

Minnesota's transportation system is the foundation of our economy, in order to maintain and grow our economy, we need to preserve and enhance our transportation system. Without a long term continuous investment in our foundation, the rest of our economic "house" will surely crumble.

- Commissioner Wayne Johnson, Otter Tail County

Transportation funding is critical to the states infrastructure. We need long term dedicated funding with some growth to be able to meet the needs of the present and plan for the future! All road and bridge money should go through the highway user transportation distribution fund which is constitutionally dedicated.

- Commissioner Don Jensen, Pennington County

With the increasing demands on our rural roads to move agriculture products and manufactured goods it is critical is this legislative session to increase constitutional dedicated funding to the highway user transportation distribution fund.

- Commissioner Neil Peterson, Pennington County

As a former highway contractor and now county commissioner, I understand the importance of sustainable and predictable highway funding sources for our most important infrastructure, our highways and bridges. Only when and if there is certainty of funding will the construction industry gear up to meet the needs.

- Commissioner Jake Bauerly, Benton County

About Governor Dayton's Transportation Proposal

Governor Dayton has proposed a straightforward, honest solution to fix Minnesota's aging transportation systems. The Governor's plan would invest $6 billion over the next ten years to address the state's highway funding deficit, invest $2.356 billion in local government transportation projects, and provide $2.92 billion for Metro and Greater Minnesota transit systems.

Without these new investments, road and bridge conditions across Minnesota will only continue to get worse. If the state does nothing, over the next ten years: the number of road miles in poor condition will increase by 75 percent; an estimated 640 bridges (1 in 5 bridges statewide) will deteriorate into poor condition; and nearly 40 percent of all state roadways will surpass their useful life.

To learn more about Governor Dayton's proposal, click on the links below:

/governor/assets/transportation_county_projects_fact_sheet_tcm1055-114706.pdfList of Projects - Review the list of projects - released today by the Governor and MnDOT - that would be completed over the next ten years if the Governor's transportation proposal is passed

News Release - Read the news release from the Governor's transportation proposal announcement

/governor/assets/transportation_plan_fact_sheet_tcm1055-114708.pdfHow it Works - Read about how the plan would be funded

/governor/assets/transportation_overview_fact_sheet_tcm1055-114700.pdfFact Sheet - Get all the facts on the challenges facing our transportation system, and how the Governor's proposed investments would address those challenges

/governor/assets/transportation_investments_snapshot_tcm1055-114710.pdfLocal Funding Increases - Learn how much funding each city and county would receive under the Governor's transportation proposal

/governor/assets/transportation_maps_tcm1055-114711.pdfMaps - Take a look at the transportation projects that would be funded, by region