House Capital Investment and Transportation Committees hold hearing on the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs ActOn Tuesday, the House Capital Investment and House Transportation Committees held a joint informational hearing on Minnesota’s Transportation Finance and Policy transportation provisions within the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which was signed into law by President Biden last month. Officials from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the Metropolitan Council all shared figures and five-year projections of how although these investments will give a needed boost to our transportation system across the state, the need for necessary, continued maintenance isn’t going away anytime soon. For example: MNDOT has projected that over the next five years, 772 bridges will need to be replaced across Minnesota with an estimated cost of $453 million. The Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act of 2021 will deliver approximately $300 million to our state to assist with bridge replacement, rehabilitation, and preservation.  An example of corrosion on Duluth’s Blatnik Bridge, as documented by MnDOT engineers All Minnesotans deserve reliable and safe transportation infrastructure in the long term, no matter where they live or how they travel. I look forward to continuing the conversation about how sustainable transportation solutions will keep our state competitive and families moving into the 21st century. Keep in TouchPlease continue to reach out anytime at rep.robert.bierman@house.mn or 651-296-5506 with questions, input, or ideas. I appreciate hearing from you! Hope to see you on Saturday. Sincerely, Robert Bierman
State Representative |