MN-DOT is asking for public comment on three of its statewide transportation plans — dealing with Greater Minnesota transit, state highways and overall transportation — and has a hearing Thursday afternoon (4-6pm) in Saint Paul with videoconferencing at 14 MN-DOT offices around the state. MN-DOT offices where videoconferencing will be available are : Baxter, Bemidji, Crookston, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, Mankato, Marshall, Morris, Owatonna, Rochester, St. Cloud, Virginia, Willmar and Windom. If you can’t participate in the meetings, you can review the plans at minnesotago.org and comment through October 14th.
MN-DOT’s Philip Schaffner says there’s a growing unmet need — 39 billion dollars necessary over the next 20 years to address objectives for the state highway network, but only 21 billion dollars in expected revenue. Deadlock over transportation funding continues at the State Capitol, with Governor Mark Dayton and Republican leaders unable to agree on parameters for a special session which is now unlikely.