Politicians Leave Transportation Infrastructure to Deteriorate

Minneapolis, MN (May 20, 2015) – Move MN, a statewide coalition of more than 200 businesses, organizations, and local governments that advocates for a comprehensive solution to Minnesota's transport funding shortfall, today continued a “Duct Tape Tour” of Minnesota, to express their concern over the legislature's failure to adequately fund critical transportation projects.

Organizers of the Move MN Duct Tape Tour are frustrated by the lack of funding for transportation projects despite promises that transportation funding would be a top priority for the 2015 session. Without long-term, comprehensive funding, Minnesota's roads and bridges will not get fixed, bus and transit service will not be improved, and bike and pedestrian routes will not be made safer. Move MN representatives are responding with a tour of ten Minnesota cities over three days to raise awareness and ask elected officials to do more.

The tour is highlighted by a truck carrying a giant roll of a duct tape to signify the numerous temporary fixes that will need to be done to the state’s aging transportation system without adequate funding. The truck will also include signage reading “Emergency Bridge Repair Team,” that commuters will see as the truck travels across the state.

“The proposed allotment for transportation funding in this budget bill is simply not enough to improve mobility and make our roads safer,” said Margaret Donahoe, Executive Director of the MN Transportation Alliance. “Legislators in St. Paul could not agree on a long-term solution that will allow for more than just maintenance of the existing transportation system. Lives are at risk here, and our leaders seem to be missing the point.”

At the beginning of the legislative session in January, transportation advocates requested a comprehensive transportation plan that was balanced with revenue dedicated to transportation alone.

“To say we are disappointed would be a huge understatement,” said Todd Pufahl, President and Business Manager for the Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota. “This issue isn’t going to go away. And future improvements will only cost Minnesotans more. Shame on our state’s elected leaders for not realizing that a safe transportation system is one of the most critical pieces to a thriving state.”

The tour began yesterday, May 19 at 9 a.m. in front of the MnDOT Building on John Ireland Boulevard in St. Paul. There, representatives of Move MN and other transportation stakeholders kicked off the tour and spoke to the need for increased transportation funding. Following the St. Paul stop, the tour is visiting nine more Minnesota cities all in hopes of educating the public about the consequences of inaction for their local communities. Transportation projects all across the state will be left to languish without funding.

“As Minnesotans, we know duct tape is pretty amazing stuff, but there are things it can't fix,” said Pufahl. “You can't use duct tape to fill in a pot hole. You can't use it to shore up a crumbling bridge. You can't use it to mark a bike lane. And most importantly, you can't use it to fix the gaping hole in transportation funding.”

Move MN Duct Tape Tour At-A-Glance:

What: The tour kicks off a public awareness campaign to inform Minnesotans of the lack of transportation funding provided by the Minnesota Legislature.

Who: Move MN leaders and state and local transportation stakeholders. Some stops will also include city mayors.

Schedule

Thursday, May 21

8:30 a.m. in Bemidji at former Pamida Discount Store site, 138 Paul Bunyan Drive

12:45 p.m. in Virginia at Olcott Park Greenhouse

3:00 p.m. in Duluth at St. Louis County Building (adjacent to City Hall and US Court building), 100 N 5th Ave W

Speakers

Bemidji Mayor Rita Albrecht

Virginia Mayor Larry Cuffee Jr.

Hibbard Mayor Rick Cannata

St. Louis County Chair Pete Stauber

About Move MN

Move MN is a statewide coalition of more than 200 business, organizations and local governments committing to fixing Minnesota’s long-term transportation problems by securing a comprehensive transportation funding solution. Move MN is committed to finding a long-term and comprehensive solution that is balanced, sustainable, and gimmick free to fix and improve Minnesota’s transportation system. For more information on Move MN, visit http://www.movemn.org, or find us on Twitter and Facebook.