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system that offers diverse modes of travel; and
WHEREAS, the integrity of Minnesota's transportation infrastructure is dependent upon long-term planning
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WHEREAS, current funding for roads, bridges, and transit systems across all government levels in Minnesota
inadequate, and this under-investment diminishes quality of life for Minnesota residents and hinders
Minnesota's progress as a national business, economic, and civic leader; and I
WHEREAS, Minnesota's transportation system is failing to meet the capacity needs necessary to sustain
population growth and promote economic development; and
WHEREAS, many rural roads are not built to modern safety standards and are not meeting the needs of
industries that depend on the ability to transport heavy loads; and
WHEREAS, insufficient state funding has delayed regionally significant road construction and reconstruction
projects across Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs significantly contribute to rising
property taxes; and
WHEREAS, for every one dollar spent on maintenance, a road authority—and therefore taxpayers—save
seven dollars in repairs; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota contains over 141,000 miles of roadway, and over 22,500 miles—or 16 percent--are
owned and maintained by Minnesota's 853 cities; and
WHEREAS, almost 85 percent of all municipal streets are not elligible for dedicated Highway User T
Distribution Fund dollars; and i
WHEREAS, the more than 700 Minnesota cities with populations below 5,000 are ineligible for dedicated
Highway User Tax Distribution Fund dollars, but have benefitted from the creation of the Small Cities
Assistance Account; and
WHEREAS, city streets are a separate but integral piece of the network of roads supporting movement of
people and goods; and
WHEREAS, city cost participation in state and county highway projects diverts resources from city-owned
streets; and