|
|
Thursday, February 2, 2006
|
|
371 upgrade on Pawlenty's highway list
Associate Editor BAXTER - Improvements to Highway 371, between Nisswa and Pine River, were among Gov. Tim Pawlenty's $2.5 billion, 2006 transportation proposals that he outlined Wednesday at the Minnesota Department of Transportation office in Baxter.
The Highway 371 improvements would include changing the highway from a two-lane to a four-lane roadway, improving and adding traffic signals where warranted, upgrading intersections and building frontage roads.
The planned infusion of money, however, depends upon the voters approving on Nov. 7 a constitutional amendment that would dedicate all of the motor vehicle sales tax revenue to highway and transit projects instead of the current level of about 54 percent. If the measure passes (a majority of all those casting votes in the general election and not just a plurality is required) then an extra $300 million per year in additional revenue would be available, the governor said. About $100 million per year of that larger figure would be available for the trunk highway fund, if voters approve the constitutional amendment.
Pawlenty said he expected voters to approve the amendment but that if they didn't he would have to go to "Plan B," which would involve the Legislature authorizing the funding in the session that begins in January 2007.
"We have to assume it's going to pass," Pawlenty said. "I would be surprised if it didn't."
The reason state officials like to bond for highway projects, he said, is because construction project costs increase at a rate of between 9 and 12 percent a year and bonds can be floated at a rate of about 5 percent a year.
"It's a tremendous opportunity," he said. "I certainly support it."
Highway 371, he said, has been a dangerous road and this plan would speed up scheduled improvements to the highway.
Jim Povich, a MnDOT assistant district engineer, said if the new money is available to his agency the Highway 371 project could possibly start in 2008 or 2009. He said making the highway improvements between Nisswa and Pine River would be a two- or three-year job.
After the meeting Povich said that District 3, a 12-county area that includes the Brainerd lakes area, would increase by a quarter-million people in the next 20 years.
Road plan
GREEN LIGHT: Gov. Tim Pawlenty implored voters to pass a constitutional amendment dedicating tax dollars for transportation.
RAMPING UP: Pawlenty said he wants legislators to approve $2.5 billion in borrowing that would kick in if the amendment passes. He said it would help planners get projects going sooner.
NOT SO FAST: Democrats say they're hesitant to approve funding before voters decide on the amendment in November. They also say the governor's plan doesn't include enough money to meet transportation needs.
|
During his presentation Pawlenty said the percentage of the population with driver's licenses increased from 54 percent in 1970 to 75 percent in 2004.
Responding to a question, Pawlenty told Crow Wing County Engineer Duane Blanck the state would try to cooperate with local officials who would have to modify signals and intersections related to the Highway 371 state project.
Blanck said there are about a dozen Crow Wing County roads that intersect the segment of Highway 371 that's slated for improvements. He would like to see adjustments in the state's cost-sharing agreement with counties. Speaking after the governor's visit, Blanck estimated Crow Wing County's costs for projects related to the state's Highway 371 project could run somewhere between $6 million and $8 million.
While answering a question posed by Morrison County Commissioner Don Meyer, Pawlenty said he hoped the Legislature would pass legislation spelling out the government's rights regarding eminent domain. He said a recent Supreme Court ruling probably went too far in granting the government authority to seize private property.
The highlighted highway projects that were announced Wednesday amounted to only about half of those that could be funded if additional funding is approved.
The highlighted projects also included improvements to:
¥ Highway 23 from St. Cloud to Foley.
¥ Highway 25 from Buffalo to Monticello.
¥ Highway 34 from Detroit Lakes to Akeley (two projects).
¥ Interstate 494, the interchange at Highway 169.
The governor's half-hour appearance in Brainerd was one of five stops at distant locations throughout the state. The other scheduled stops were in Brooklyn Park, Duluth, Owatonna and Worthington.
He concluded his comments with a wish that he'd be able to return to the area soon.
"Hopefully, we'll get the job done and be back up to turn some dirt," Pawlenty said.
MIKE O'ROURKE can be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
|
|
|
Thinking about a New Job?
These employers want you!
|
|
Schools has an opening fo...
|
|
not a
9-5 person,
how about
11-2, 4-...
|
|
CASH!!
Independent Carrier need...
|
|
position plans sales trai...
|
|
is hiring for the following
...
|
|
|
|
Bids Being Accepted
call...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today's Best Classifieds:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mostly Clear, 80°
