Economics and quality of life are rolled into one of the top discussions before the state Capitol in an issue connecting outstate and metro communities.
It's all about transportation.
Friday, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Commissioner Charles Zelle arrived in Brainerd for a talk with business community representatives at Cragun's. Transportation by road, air, bike and on foot were all part of the discussion Friday. Zelle outlined Gov. Mark Dayton's transportation plan in a session co-hosted by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce and the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation.
"It's how we get our goods to market. It's how we get our employees to work. It's how we get tourists up north," said Matt Kilian, Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce president, of the importance of transportation.
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"It's how we get our goods to market. It's how we get our employees to work. It's how we get tourists up north," said Matt Kilian, Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce president, of the importance of transportation.
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Kilian said the chamber applauds the governor looking at a long-term plan but advocates figuring out a price tag before deciding how to pay for it. Kilian said not many of the chamber's members are in favor of increasing the gas tax.
Kilian noted Zelle has an impressive business background. Zelle worked for Jefferson Lines for more than 20 years, serving as president and CEO of the bus company. Zelle began as MnDOT commissioner in 2013. Zelle said the Jefferson Lines got its start on the Jefferson Highway, a dirt road from Winnipeg to Duluth to New Orleans and ran right through Brainerd on its way to Minneapolis.
"The first routes of the Jefferson Highway Transportation Company in 1919 were from Brainerd to Minneapolis," Zelle said.
His familiarity with the area includes a cabin on Gull Lake on the Pine Beach peninsula through his wife's family.
"I talk about all these different modes of transportation - highways, bridges, trains, planes, bicycles - and how important it is for our business prosperity, but I really know it when I come to this area," Zelle said.
As the first MnDOT commission who is a registered travel agent, Zelle said he understands the value of tourism. He's booked tourists through this area.
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"When you talk about economic impacts of transportation, I can actually testify first-hand how important it is," Zelle said.
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"When you talk about economic impacts of transportation, I can actually testify first-hand how important it is," Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Commissioner Charles Zelle said.
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Zelle spoke of efforts to cut the number of traffic fatalities nearly in half through the Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program, which combines education, enforcement and emergency management.
There are a number of challenges, Zelle said, from weather to a higher use of the transportation system and more and more use of freight. He noted a 30 percent increase in trucks on roads and busy railways. Zelle said the state is challenged with aging bridges, miles of state highway in poor condition and traffic congestion.
"It's not just a Twin Cities thing," Zelle said of metro congestion, which affects suppliers and shipments moving across the state through the Twin Cities. Traffic jams cost money in late shipments and quality of life suffers, Zelle said.
He likened Minnesota's situation to the proverbial perfect storm of increasing needs, growing population, decreased quality and fixed funding sources that aren't keeping pace with demand. The state needs $2.5 billion to maintain current conditions, Zelle said.
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Dayton's plan calls for $6 billion with $4 billion going toward maintenance and modernizing the systems to last longer (2,200 additional miles of pavement, 330 state bridges, extending service life and improving safety) and $2 billion toward expansion with extra lanes such as planned Highway 371 construction.
Dayton's proposal calls for $11.3 billion during 10 years mainly in transit and the state roads and bridges system. Roughly $2.4 billion would flow to counties and municipalities with $75 million for safe routes to schools and bikes and pedestrians.
Zelle said it all adds up to 16 cents per gallon increase in the gas tax. The topic is a sensitive one in a tourism area such as Brainerd, Zelle noted. He said for the average motorist it adds up to $15 a month or $188 per year. To put that in perspective, he said Minnesotans are paying $396 on average per year for their vehicles with front-end alignments and tires.
Zelle said he sees having dedicated funds for transportation as part of the answer so people know where the dollars are going. Putting money into the transportation system presents a good return on investment, Zelle said.
"If we don't keep our system in good shape I think we are all going to pay one way or the other," Zelle said.
RENEE RICHARDSON, associate editor, may be reached at 855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Dispatchbizbuzz .
