Dear Friends,
As we head into spring, many of you have asked me about road construction and Hwy 610. Here is an update on that, as well as an update on REAL ID, and an opportunity for you to weigh-in on the MNSure situation.
Hwy 610
In 2014 construction began on the fifth, and final, segment of Hwy 610. This construction is scheduled to be completed at some point this fall. The project will have accomplished the following once it is complete:
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Realigning and extending Hwy 610 from its current location at Hennepin Co. Rd. 81 and Elm Creek Blvd, to I-94 in Maple Grove.
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Building a bridge to have 610 go over Fernbrook Ln.
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An interchange constructed at Hwy 610 and Maple Grove Parkway.
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Closing and removing a half-mile segment of 101st Ave. North between I-94 and Fernbrook Ln.
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Extending 105th Ave. West from Holly Ln to across I-94, to form a new intersection with 101st Ave.
Once construction wraps up, we will have our own “crosstown” corridor in the North Metro. We have already seen the huge economic impact of this project with new businesses opening in the Brooklyn Park area, and more to come.
There is still a lot to be done with the Hwy 169 improvements in Champlin and Hwy 10 in Coon Rapids/Anoka. It will take some time, but as a member of the Transportation Committee here at the House of Representatives I am actively working to get these projects addressed.
REAL ID
On Tuesday, the House voted on the first step in addressing the REAL ID issue. In a bipartisan vote, we passed a bill that lifts the ban preventing the Department of Public Safety (DPS) from acting on anything REAL ID related.
Lifting the ban allows DPS to start assessing the costs and logistics involved with switching to REAL ID. Once they report their findings to the legislature, we can start writing legislation to determine what the new IDs will entail. Our goal is to start issuing REAL IDs by this Fall, which would ensure that everyone can stay on their same license “renewal cycle,” and not have to purchase another license to meet the final deadline for full compliance, which is 2020.
MNSure Feeback
Last Thursday, the State Government Finance Committee launched a site that will allow people to provide feedback on their experience with the MNSure. I’ve heard from several people about problems they have had with the exchange and their frustration with their premiums and deductibles going up. You can give us your input at this link: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cmte/comment.
We need as much information as possible to address MNSure’s on-going issues, and come to a solution that is affordable for Minnesotans.
I’ll continue to update you on issues as they come up this session. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Mark