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<br />A RESOLUTION REQUESTING <br />COMPREHENSIVE ROAD AND TRANSIT FUNDING <br /> <br />WHEREAS, all Minnesota communities bcnefit from a sound, efficient and adequately <br />funded transportation system that offers diverse modes of travel; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, thc integrity of Minnesota's transportation infrastructurc is dcpcndent upon <br />long-term planning and ongoing maintenance, both of which require dedicated and <br />sustainable revenue sources; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Minnesota leaders have not increased dedicated funding levels for roads, <br />bridges and transit systems to keep pacc with growing costs and changing needs; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, transportation analysts in consultation with the Minnesota Department of <br />Transportation (MnDOT) estimate Minnesota will have to invest an additional $1.5 <br />billion per year in transportation inlrastructurc for thc ncxt ten years in order to meet <br />identified needs on Minnesota's state highways and bridges, county roads, city strccts, <br />metro and rural transit systems and local bridges; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Minnesota's transportation system is failing to meel the capacity needs <br />necessary to sustain population growth and promote economic development; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, congestion, inefficient transportation systems and lack of transportation <br />choices lead to greater dependence on foreign oil, incrcascd environmental degradation, <br />and economic disadvantages for Minnesota's businesses and residents; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, many rural roads are not built to modem safety standards and are not <br />meeting the needs of industries that depend on the ability to transport heavy loads; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, local cost participation requirements for trunk highway and cOlmty projects <br />are onerous and are contributing to strains on city budgets; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs <br />significantly contribute to rising property taxes; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, insufficient state funding has delaycd regionally significant road <br />construction and reconstruction projects across Minnesota; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, current funding for roads, bridges and transit systems across all government <br />levels in Minnesota is inadcquate, and this under-investment diminishes quality of life for <br />Minnesota residents and hinders Minnesota's progress as a national business, economic <br />and civic leader. <br /> <br />-36- <br />