Rep. Nolan hears transportation concerns, says Highway Trust Fund is running out of money

BAXTER - Transportation was touted as a building block for economic development and quality of life, but one with numerous challenges.

Rep. Rick Nolan, D-Minn., hosted a public forum on transportation needs Monday at Baxter City Hall. Representatives of Brainerd, Baxter, Crow Wing County, labor, business, trucking, safety and public transit were among those providing a broader picture of the area's transportation needs.

"It's such an integral part of our ability to travel safely, to grow our businesses, create our jobs and have a healthy, safe, vibrant economy. Studies are done all over the world and good strong transportation is the foundation of just about everything as it relates to business, jobs, progress and safety and quality of life," Nolan said.

Nolan said the Federal Highway Trust Fund is running out of money and has a 40 percent shortfall.

"I am one of those who is willing to consider any one and all," Nolan said of ideas to fix the fund. Nolan said he is hopeful for a bipartisan agreement on financing.

"I will take the messages I will hear today back to Washington to help me be a better representative for this area, cognizant of all the needs that exist and how we can go about financing and fixing them," Nolan said.

Dan Anderson, Minnesota Department of Transportation district engineer, said there are a lot of exciting, challenging projects ahead. He noted Highway 371, Business Highway 371 and work expected in Emily. "I can talk about the funding, but I think everyone is in agreement here we're in a difficult situation," Anderson said.

Transportation challenges

Nolan said his dream is to have the Northstar Commuter Rail Line come at least as far north as Brainerd. The commuter rail line currently ends in Big Lake. Nolan said he'd like to have all American cities served by rapid rail transit as it would be less costly than airport expansion with a smaller carbon footprint.

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Nolan said his dream is to have the Northstar Commuter Rail Line come at least as far north as Brainerd.

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Nolan said the United States went from a nation with the best transportation system in the world to one that is getting terribly congested and in need of repair. It takes longer to get from the airport to the north metro than from the Twin Cities to Brainerd, Nolan said. Minnesota has almost 13,000 bridges and 1,200 are structurally deficient with several hundred in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District.

Matt Kilian, Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce president, said the congestion is also detrimental to the tourism economy. Kilian said the chamber supports a long-term, comprehensive solution for transportation needs. But citing consensus from chamber members, Kilian said they are leery of a tax on gasoline and it shouldn't be the only funding source. Kilian told Nolan the chamber favors Baxter's alternative corridor plan and a revitalized downtown Brainerd with work on Business Highway 371 and that entrance to the city as a welcome to Brainerd not as an encouragement to bypass it.

Wayne Fleischhacker, AFL-CIO representative, said safe roads are a priority to move goods, create good-paying jobs and a good economy. Right now, Fleischhacker said, Minnesota's transportation system needs immediate attention.

John Hausladen, Minnesota Trucking Association president, said the industry is facing a dramatic driver shortage. He said not letting drivers cross state lines until they are 21 years old is making things worse and caps on drivers' service hours are reducing their earning power and productivity without creating greater safety. He said roundabouts are also a concern in eliminating entire routes.

"The good new is the economy is strong," Hausladen said. "It is robust out there."

Projects and funding

Brainerd Mayor James Wallin reiterated his desire to have a bridge crossing by French Rapids to bypass Brainerd on the north to move traffic out of the city. Acting Baxter Mayor Todd Holman provided an overview on the city's projects, particularly in creating alternate routes for local traffic off Highway 371 and Highway 210 so it doesn't become part of the gridlock.

Holman highlighted a proposal to put a pedestrian/bicycle bridge across Highway 371 at the Clearwater Road intersection and noted trails for recreation are now also used by commuters getting to work on bicycles or on foot. Holman said the city will need support for key pieces of infrastructure going forward, noting the plan to extend Cypress Drive across Highway 210 is in need of a permit to cross the railroad tracks and part of the former tie plant Superfund site.

Nolan suggested looking at TIGER grant funds for Cypress Drive, which are designed for multi-modal projects. There are usually more worthy projects than money to go around, Nolan said.

"We've been coming out kind of on the short side of all of this here in Minnesota," Nolan said. "We've been getting back about 65 cents out of every dollar we send to Washington. There are some states that are getting back $4 and $5 for every dollar they send to Washington." Nolan encouraged cities to seek those grants. "Any and all ideas you have, pursue them and consider us to be a partner."

Jeff Hulsether, Brainerd engineer, spoke of the limitations on public transit options with limits on hours that make it a challenge to provide workers with transportation to jobs. Tim Bray, Crow Wing County highway engineer, said the federal gas tax hasn't increased in 22 years.

"Certainly 18.4 cents does not buy today what it did in 1993," Bray said.

Bray also said previously to help balance the deficit, controls were eliminated allowing transportation trust fund dollars to be used for other funding needs. Bray and former state legislator John Ward encouraged having more protection to spend transportation dollars on transportation projects.

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Tim Bray, Crow Wing County highway engineer said the long-eared bat, an endangered species, is costing the county more for projects by requiring a separate contract to remove trees.

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Bray said the long-eared bat, an endangered species, is costing the county more for projects by requiring a separate contract to remove trees. A decision on the bat is due in April and Nolan said he is optimistic it will be de-listed. After the session, Nolan said a lethal fungus in the bat's winter tunnel nesting areas is the culprit in harming the bat. Regulations to help the bat have been devastating for the forest industry, Nolan said, adding he believes care can be taken to set aside tree nesting areas for bat habitat. Bray expressed concern for an expansion of the definition of the waters of the U.S. to include ditches, potentially complicating the permit process for road construction. Nolan agreed he did not want to see the definition expand and was in favor of pulling it back further. Nolan wondered if the county had availed itself of its option for a .5 percent wheelage sales tax for transportation funds. Bray said he is working on a report utilizing research assistance from the University of Minnesota and should have it soon.

The highway engineers were part of several panels during the morning session. Nolan heard an update on MnDOT's Toward Zero Deaths. He heard conventional wisdom on distracted driving with texting and technology in vehicles may seem to be limited to young people but in practice runs the gamut from 16 to 66.

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Representing Central Minnesota Council on Aging,  Dean Loidolt's  voice was strained with emotion as he spoke of volunteer drivers, who he said basically represented poor people helping poor people, who were using their own money to help transit users.

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In the most emotional moment of the day's testimony, Dean Loidolt with the Central Minnesota Council on Aging said previously funding covered times when public transit rides were not carrying passengers, such as a return trip after dropping off a passenger when the bus is empty. When the funding was reduced to not cover return trips with an empty bus, Loidolt said that led to a loss of drivers. Transit allows people to live independently longer at a much lower cost than nursing homes or assisted living, he noted. Loidolt's voice was strained with emotion as he spoke of volunteer drivers, who he said basically represented poor people helping poor people, who were using their own money to help transit users.

Phil Martin, Bolton & Menk engineer, spoke up for Wadena saying the uncertainty of finishing the four-lanes on U.S. Highway 10 is handcuffing the area and more money is needed to finish the last 5 miles of the highway.

Nolan said hearing from all the people in the room was energizing as everyone shared a desire for the common good.

"There is a lot of good will," Nolan said of bipartisanship in Congress. "They've gotten the message all over the country and now it's incumbent on the leadership to allow it. ... There is a strong desire for bipartisanship."

RENEE RICHARDSON, associate editor, may be reached at 855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Dispatchbizbuzz .