Better Roads for Minnesota is a Good Plan

From Barb Thoman, Executive Director

Transit for Livable Communities applauds Governor Dayton and Mn/DOT Commissioner Sorel for the Administration’s proposal to focus more funding on the repair of Trunk Highway pavements across the state. Called “Better Roads for Minnesota,” the proposal would direct nearly $400 million in existing state and federal transportation dollars to repair 700 miles of Trunk Highways in poor condition.

Minnesota has one of the nation’s largest road networks and the Twin Cities region has one of the largest regional highway systems. Maintaining over 80,000 miles of pavement in Minnesota’s harsh climate poses a growing challenge. 

In the past, TLC has been critical of Mn/DOT for its spending on highway expansion when the state had growing needs for road and bridge maintenance. TLC has also been critical of the state’s past strategy of widening roads and bridges as the primary  way to address congestion. TLC believes that congestion is best addressed through expanded transit, carpooling, compact, mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods, telework, and other strategies. 

This move to focus more funding and attention on repair is a smart and fiscally prudent move on the part of Mn/DOT and the Dayton administration. A press release from the Governor about the program noted that “Without additional investment, the number of miles in ‘poor’ condition is estimated to increase to 1,900 by the year 2020.”

The repair work will include concrete and asphalt repaving, drainage, lighting and traffic signal repair and critical improvements to make the state system comply with requirement of the American Disabilities Act (curb ramps and sidewalks as well as traffic signal crossing enhancements).

TLC would encourage the Governor to prioritize additional money to road repair by dramatically reducing the scale of the proposed new Stillwater Bridge.

For more information on the program go to http://www.dot.state.mn.us/betterroads.


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Note:  A Trunk Highway is a road owned by the state of Minnesota. Trunk Highways include interstates and principal arterials. 

This links to the Gov’s Press Release.
Star Tribune article about this issue.

Comments

[utah asphalt contractor]

That is a very good plan indeed. Better roads improves the lives of all commuters, travelers, workers,students and the rest who will be crossing in the roads. The economy of the country for sure will improve, for the businesses will prosper. There will be more investors who will entrust their money to the country as well, thus promoting jobs to the countrymen. I just hope that it will be realized soon. Wait for this http://www.utahasphalt.com