MNDOT Commissioner: Long-range transportation plan a must

BEMIDJI -- Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle spoke to Bemidji civic leaders Friday to discuss statewide infrastructure needs and what it would mean if a sufficient funding plan isn't passed in the near future.

"As an entire state, we want to move forward with a transportation plan. So I want to remind everybody how important it is," Zelle said. "We're meeting with a combination of citizens, businesses and elected officials, especially locals because people are really involved with this and they understand that this is a challenge we all share."

According to Zelle's presentation, the state is on the "edge of a fiscal cliff" for a number of reasons. By 2030, freight truck and rail traffic is expected to increase 30 percent and 850 bridges will require significant work by 2025. The main issue Zelle said, is that road and bridge funding drops by 18 percent next year will be 49 percent less by 2019.

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/3867702-mndot-commissioner-long-range-transportation-plan-must