The I-94 West Corridor Coalition would like to thank the transportation conference committee for coming to an agreement on May 1 regarding the Omnibus Transportation Finance bill (HF0861/SF1060).
A long-term transportation bill has been an area of concern that has gone unsolved at the Minnesota legislature of years. This year, legislators were able to come to an agreement and draft a robust, long-term, comprehensive transportation bill that will benefit Minnesota for years to come.
The proposed bill renews funding of $300 million for the Corridors of Commerce program. The Corridors of Commerce program utilizes a comprehensive approach to transportation funding that prioritizes future projects that have already received funding, the I-94 West Corridor capacity expansion being one. Securing these funds for the future of Corridors of Commerce is imperative for Interregional Corridors, such as expanding I-94 capacity to six lanes from Rogers to St. Cloud and eight lanes from the Fish Lake Interchange to Rogers.
If approved by the House and Senate, the Omnibus Transportation Finance bill will be sent to Governor Dayton to either pass or veto.
As a coalition that has consistently supported a minimum funding level of $300 million for the Corridors of Commerce program, we are beyond excited that the conference committee included this in the proposed bill!
This is a step in the right direction for future improvements to be made to the I-94 West Corridor and the rest of Minnesota! We urge the Governor and legislature to continue to work hard towards a compromise and pass a transportation bill during the 2017 Legislative Session.