Balanced transportation plan must be adopted
We live in a mobile society where it is essential in our minds that we get from Point A to Point B in the fastest and safest way.
It is imperative then that we have one of the most reliable and predictable transportation systems. The Minnesota Legislature must put transportation on its front burners and consider Governor Jesse Ventura’s current transportation proposals.
This oftentimes controversial Minnesota governor is right on when he says he wants to stop planning and get something done in the area of transportation. His action plan has been very adeptly shaped by two of his cabinet members, Elwyn Tinklenberg, commissioner of transportation and Ted Mondale, chair of the Metropolitan Council.
Gov. Ventura’s transportation plan calls for a balanced approach to dealing with needs throughout the state, and more importantly dealing with needs in the high-traffic metropolitan areas.
The proposal creates a new multimodal transportation fund. A statutory dedication of approximately 46 percent of the motor vehicle sales tax will be made to this fund. A transfer of funds will provide $245 million per year in new dollars.
This new fund will put Minnesota in the position to better secure additional federal funds. For instance, on the proposed Hiawatha light rail line, for every dollar the state contributes, it will bring back $5.50 mostly in federal dollars. Commissioner Tinklenberg said he is “very optimistic” that federal funding can also be obtained for commuter rail development along the North Star Corridor.
Many public officials have stated that state transportation needs have been ignored for years. Currently, it’s estimated there is $3 billion of unmet needs in state transportation. Over the next 10 years, MnDOT says it will address about one-half of those needs.
No single proposal will adequately address all the unmet transportation needs. Still, the governor’s plan provides a sound basis on which Minnesota can step firmly into the new millennium.
These decisions are not necessarily easy. A commitment to transportation carries weight in other matters such as proposed tax cuts.
We need action now on transportation. A rush-hour drive on many metro area highways will give motorists an increasing amount of time to reflect on this truth.
