Progress was made during the 2017 Special Legislative Session where both the House and Senate passed a much needed transportation funding bill which legislators dubbed “the largest investment in roads and bridges in a decade.” The bill utilizes general fund money for roads and bridges, while denying state funding to future light rail projects.
Corridors of Commerce
The Coalition supported securing a minimum renewed funding level of $300 million for the Corridors of Commerce program which would deliver projects efficiently, cost effectively, and transparently. This program utilizes a more comprehensive approach to transportation funding than is often promoted by focuses on funding projects that have already been partially funded, such as the I-94 West Corridor projects.
Outlined in the bill that was passed by both the House and Senate and awaiting Governor Dayton’s approval, the Corridors of Commerce program received $350 million over the next 2 years!