Minnesota Transportation Funding Gap Likely to Grow
The funding gap for Minnesota transportation needs is projected to be about $18 billion over the next 20 years, and that's based on a strategy focused on preservation and not expansion, according to an official with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Mark Nelson, planning director of the transportation system management office, joined others from MnDOT in outlining plans for addressing rural transit, highway and intermodal transportation needs to members of the Area Transportation Partnership for MnDOT's District 8 region Sept. 9. The district includes 12 counties served by the Willmar MnDOT office.
Nelson said an updated transportation planning projection anticipates revenues of $21 billion in the next 20 years, which is an increase from earlier projections. MnDOT has identified $39 billion in investment needs during the same period. More than $30 billion of the needs are for the state's road systems, and the rest includes transit and intermodal transportation.
Motorists can anticipate deteriorating roads and bridges as funding lags the needs. MnDOT expects that 18% of state roadways that are not part of the national highway system eventually will be rated "poor,'' according to the information presented.
The Legislature is requiring that MnDOT expand public transit services in Greater Minnesota. The goal is to increase transit services from 13.3 million rides in 2015 to 18.9 million rides in 2025.
The plan to meet the demand will require an additional $114 million in funding by 2025, according to Sara Dunlap, planning coordinator with MnDOT's office of transit. The needs include adding 226 new vehicles to the fleet.
