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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-34n-Iffy"MI I mil Jill system that offers diverse modes of travel; and WHEREAS, the integrity of Minnesota's transportation infrastructure is dependent upon long-term planning a in d o n ig o i ng�-maic�tp-nanxp-,-W-b.-aLw-bkb-r-r 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