Hello Friends!
One of the most important issues we are working on this legislative session is transportation, and I'd like to give you a bit of an update on that.
There is general agreement that something needs to be done to repair roads and bridges around the state, and there is a bill on the table right now that would go a long way in accomplishing that. The House’s transportation proposal, the “Road and Bridge Act,” puts $7 billion into building transportation infrastructure. This bill is a comprehensive approach toward repairing roadways, from trunk highways to local roads, without raising the gas tax.
This $7 billion in funding would repair over 15,000 lane miles and 320 bridges in Minnesota. The proposal draws from multiple funding sources, including trunk highway bonds and a portion of the $900 million budget surplus, and reallocates existing sales tax on car rentals and auto parts into designated funds geared toward building transportation infrastructure. This approach towards funding allows us to keep a long-term focus in repairing roads and bridges, and avoids relying on the very regressive gas tax. The vast majority of people in our district do not want a hike in the gas tax, and I’m glad this proposal creates a substantial and reliable funding stream without it.
Along with supporting this transportation plan, I am carrying a bonding proposal that would provide funding to build a rail overpass at Hanson Boulevard/ Hwy 78 in Coon Rapids. This overpass is a safety issue, as houses and city streets are so close to the railroad tracks, and need an extra degree of separation. In addition, there is no alternative route for emergency vehicles but to cross over the tracks. Emergency response crews may find themselves blocked by the 110-car trains that run that stretch of track, creating possible life-and-death situations for people waiting for first responders, an ambulance, or the fire department. Earlier this month I had Mayor Jerry Koch, Fire Chief John Piper, County Commissioner Scott Schulte, and City Manager Matt Stemwedel join me in testifying to the Transportation Finance Committee in favor of this bonding proposal, and I am optimistic as we move forward.
A second bonding proposal that I am authoring would allocate $11.2 million in trunk highway bonds to build an interchange at Hwy 169 and 101st Avenue in Brooklyn Park. This will streamline traffic in the area, increase safety for drivers, and provide easy access for new development. The bill will be heard in the Transportation Policy Committee, and is being considered for inclusion in final House Capital Investment bill.
Our roads and bridges throughout Minnesota have fallen into disrepair. I am confident that passing the Road and Bridge Act this session, along with allocating bonding dollars toward transportation-related projects, will allow us to repair our infrastructure and keep it well-maintained in the long-term.
As always, please feel free to contact my office at (651)296-5513, or email me at Rep.Mark.Uglem@house.com with any questions or concerns. I enjoy hearing from you, and will do my best to keep you up to date as session moves forward.
Sincerely,
Mark