The Minnesota Department of Transportation today launched the MinnesotaGo website as part of an ongoing information and outreach effort around Minnesota’s transportation vision and funding needs, now and in the future.
“Minnesota’s transportation system is an important component of the state’s economy and quality of life,” said MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle. “We are concerned that if we don’t start working now on how to fund transportation in the future, the system will begin to degrade and affect the state’s economy.”
To that end, Zelle has been traveling around the state to speak with transportation stakeholders and the general public about transportation’s place in the economy and the future funding picture. Zelle meets with various groups in town hall meeting settings, makes a presentation on transportation funding and takes questions.
“It’s not about politics, it’s about arithmetic,” Zelle said. “Our revenue sources are not as strong as they once were and inflation is eating into our buying power. Minnesota needs to develop a long-term, sustainable funding solution to stay ahead of that inflation and keep our transportation system healthy, ensuring that the system continues to contribute to Minnesotans’ quality of life in a positive way.”
As part of his travels around the state, Zelle has asked town hall participants about their transportation experiences.
“There has been very strong support for the idea that we need to pay attention to the system and make sure that it is not underfunded,” he said. “Businesses across the state are concerned about how they get their products to market and how employees get to work.”
The new website can be found at www.minnesotago.org. As part of that website, MnDOT has developed a feedback tool at www.dot.state.mn.us/minnesotago/feedback.html. Citizens can explain their transportation experiences and needs and voice any concerns.
“We know that not everyone can attend our meetings,” Zelle said. “The feedback site gives everyone the opportunity to tell us how transportation affects their lives. I encourage Minnesotans to give us their opinions.”
The site also contains more information regarding the state of transportation funding in Minnesota, including the presentations used, a map of where meetings have occurred and links to other sources of information regarding transportation funding.
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