10 year, $6 Billion Transportation Plan Prioritizes Infrastructure Using Existing Funds
ST. PAUL, MN—On a bipartisan vote of 76-54, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved a plan to invest $6 billion over the next 10 years toward the state’s transportation needs without raising taxes.
“Folks in Northwest Minnesota will be hurt by a harmful gas tax increase, and our plan is able to invest in meaningful road and bridge improvements without taking more from your budget,” said Rep. Dan Fabian, R-Roseau. “For small communities in rural Minnesota, we’re also investing more into the Small Cities Road Assistance Program for important local road projects.”
“This is a commonsense road and bridge package that utilizes our surplus and existing transportation related revenue we already collect to make substantial improvements to roads and bridges across the state,” added Rep. Deb Kiel, R-Crookston. “Our plan makes it clear you don’t need to take more from families and commuters to improve our transportation infrastructure.”
The proposal creates a new fund of existing tax revenue streams called the Transportation Priorities Fund. This new fund uses current, transportation-related state tax revenues to invest $450 million in new dollars for roads and bridges. Additionally, the transportation proposal would fund:
- $25 million for the Small Cities Road Assistance program
- $300 million for Corridors of Commerce program
- $35 million for rail grade crossings
- Funding to repair or replace all 97 bridges on MnDOT's local bridge priority list
The Senate passed their own transportation proposal Thursday evening. The House and Senate proposals will now go to conference committee where lawmakers will reconcile differences between the two bills.