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. . . NORTH METRO MAYORS ASSOCIATION August 17, 2005 Mr. Paul Czech, Principle Planner Mn/DOT Metro Division 1500 West County Road B-2 Roseville, MN 55113 Subject: Transportation System Plan Comments Dear Mr. Czech: Following are comments on behalf of the member cities in the North Metro Mayors Association on the Draft Transportation System Plan in response to Patrick Hughes' invitation dated June 30, 2005. The NMMA is a Joint Powers Organization that includes 21 member Cities. The NMMA was formed eighteen years ago to give the members a more effective means of advocating for the interests of the northern suburbs. One of our principle areas of advocacy is transportation policy and financing. Accordingly we have maintained a close working relationship with businesses, legislators and MnlDOT over the years. Because of our interest and involvement in transportation funding debates, we are acutely aware of MnIDOT's shortage of funds needed to meet the needs of the State and our communities. We understand that the Metro District TSP contains only a small part of the many projects that should be implemented due to a variety of choices that have been made in the past. We are on record in support of substantially increased funding for transportation in Minnesota. We believe that the economic vitality of our State and our communities is being adversely affected by the absence of key transportation investments. We have concerns about funding schedules for many highways in our area such as TH 65, the Northwest River Crossing @ RamseylDayion et.cetera. However, we will focus our comments on three major investment needs: . Completion ofTH 610 . Expansion of l-35W north of TH 36, and, . Upgrading of the TH 10 Corridor between TH 610 and St. Cloud TH 610 The draft TSP lists TH 610 completion in the 2015-2023 era (Policy 6, p 70, et.a!.). Recent experience tells us that there is a high probability that this