13 Major Road Construction Projects To Be Accelerated In Minn.
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- For metro commuters, it seems there's always more work to be done on Minnesota roads.
And it's very much needed because of the weather extremes in our state.
Gov. Mark Dayton announced Tuesday that $70 million is being allocated to help take ideas and make them realities in 13 of the most troubled spots on Minnesota roads.
He says it's a big step towards alleviating congestion, creating safer roads and attracting business to areas that are more easily traveled.
The money will go to design and add a MnPASS lane along Interstate 35W from downtown Minneapolis to the northern suburbs, aiming to shorten morning commutes.
Dayton called I-94 between the Twin Cities one of the most congested routes in the state. This money will help patch up the pavement and create ideas for new lane solutions.
The money will also help design more crosswalks and bike lanes along Snelling Avenue in St. Paul.
But Gov. Dayton says these 13 projects just scratch the surface. There's still a lot of work that needs to be done, and not enough funding.
"We need to spend more to improve our roads, highways, bridges, public transit … and no one wants to pay for it," Dayton said.
He says the state will need to raise $6 billion over the next decade to get Minnesota roads where they need to be -- money he says will likely have to come from raising taxes.
"Those kinds of specific projects are intended to show Minnesotans you're going to get some real benefits that you can see, that you can appreciate every day of your lives, your commutes and the like if you support, you know, the additional revenues that we need," Dayton said.
There is currently no time table on when these projects will get started.
Gov. Dayton says he's working on a proposal to raise the money needed.
He says he is open to new gasoline taxes and increased borrowing to help pay for the roadwork in the future.
