This week the Minnesota Department of Transportation unveiled four new transportation projects selected to receive $417 million in funding through the Corridors of Commerce program in 2018. Despite project selection criteria specifically worded to create regional balance for road funding, all four projects are situated within forty miles of the Twin Cities metro area. In defense of the selections, MNDOT officials categorized two projects in Elk River and St. Michael as Greater Minnesota projects.

Senator Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) released the following statement:

“I’m disappointed Highway 10 in Wadena was once again overlooked in the selection of road projects receiving funding from the Corridors of Commerce program this year. It’s telling that all four projects selected are in the Twin Cities metro. The powers that be continue to neglect infrastructure across the less populated areas of our state, and then act like they don’t know why businesses and workers relocate to the metro. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy, and it needs to end. 

I’m happy to report this year the Senate is doing something about it. We passed a bill just last week that requires Corridors of Commerce funding to be evenly split between the metro and Greater Minnesota. This is a common sense proposal that I hope can win the governor’s support and be signed into law this session.”

FACT SHEET – View the complete list of Corridors of Commerce projects considered and selected.