During the 2017 legislative session, the legislature allocated $400 million to the Corridors of Commerce program. In response, MnDOT decided to select $400 million of projects in the next round of Corridors of Commerce funding. Since the inception of Corridors of Commerce, the funding has been distributed equally between Greater Minnesota and the Metro.
Unfortunately, in 2018 MnDOT is considering a change to the Corridors of Commerce and allowing a public comment period that would open the historical 50/50 funding split to discussion. The intent of this change is to more heavily favor the seven county Metro Area, which runs contrary to legislative intent and endangers funding for critical projects such as lane expansion between Albertville and St. Michael.
I-94 is a significant source of congestion and is the heaviest traveled corridor in Minnesota. The congestion however, will only worsen as Central Minnesota experiences state-leading population growth. The only way to improve commerce, safety issues, and traffic delays on I-94 is through capacity expansion. In both the Metro and Greater Minnesota, the commuters and businesses that rely on I-94 for travel and commerce are desperate for a solution to the current problem.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Please take the time to call or email MnDOT (contact information below) and voice your support to maintain the 50/50 split between Metro & Greater Minnesota projects funded by the Corridors of Commerce funding.
Contact information:
Charles A. Zelle
Transportation Commissioner
charlie.zelle@state.mn.us
651-366-4800
Patrick Weidemann
Program Director, Capital Planning
pat.weidemann@state.mn.us
651-366-3758