ST.
PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota 20-year State Highway Investment Plan has been
finalized and is available online, according to the Minnesota Department of
Transportation. MnSHIP connects the Minnesota GO 50-year vision and policies
established in the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan to capital
improvements on the state highway system.
“This
plan is the result of extensive collaboration among MnDOT, residents,
stakeholders and partners throughout Minnesota,” said Charlie Zelle, MnDOT
Commissioner. “The success of Minnesota’s transportation system depends on the
coordinated efforts of many public and private providers. The investment
priorities outlined in MnSHIP provide a framework for MnDOT’s contribution to
those efforts.”
MnSHIP
establishes priorities for spending projected capital revenue on the state
highway system, a 12,000-mile network that plays a critical role in supporting
the state’s economy and quality of life. MnSHIP is a fiscally constrained plan,
meaning its planned expenditures must align with expected revenues, which total
$18 billion. Meanwhile, projected transportation needs on the state highway
system during the next 20 years total $30 billion.
MnDOT
considers many factors when setting priorities, including federal and state law,
system conditions and public input. Priorities for the next 10 years balance
preservation of existing roads and bridges with investments in safety, new
connections for multiple modes of transportation, and other projects that
advance economic development and quality of life objectives. Investments in the
second 10 years focus almost exclusively on preserving existing infrastructure.
Even with this focus, the number of roads and bridges in poor condition will
more than double, and perhaps triple, within 20 years.
“The
investment priorities in MnSHIP illustrate the increasing constraints on
highway planning in Minnesota. Growth in construction costs continues to
outpace growth in revenue and, as the highway system ages, needs are
increasing,” Zelle said. “In particular, investments in the second 10 years do
not address many system needs.”
MnSHIP
also outlines the targeted actions and strategies MnDOT will pursue to stretch
available revenue and how MnDOT will seek to leverage available revenues to
achieve multiple purposes. “MnDOT will continue to explore innovative methods
to use funds efficiently,” Zelle added. “With our partners, we can continue to
build and maintain a multimodal transportation system that achieves the
Minnesota GO Vision.”
To view the final plan, visit the
MnSHIP website at mndot.gov/planning/mnship/.
