Representatives from MnDOT walk local stakeholders through a "MnSHIP" meeting in Makato on Oct. 10th. MnSHIP is the state highway investment plan, which also creates the 20-year capital plan.
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| Ryan Wilson, planning engineer for MnDOT presented MnSHIP investment plan discussion points based on "dividing the pie" differently in the next 20-year plan that should be completed by May/June of 2013. |
Stakeholders were presented the current status of the plan and how the resources are divided, then two options of investment in the next 20-year plan were given as launching points for discussion. These were not final or even voting options, but a discussion starter so stakeholders could "walk in MnDOT's shoes" and see how difficult dividing the resources is on a limited $18M budget.
MnDOT plans to gather stakeholder input at 9 regional meetings throughout the state before designing their draft of the 20-year plan for the 2013 legislature.
More investment for new roads, like Highway 14, was not presented as a possible option or discussion point. They are planning on using the funds to maintain what we currently have for roads, bridges, non-motorized transportation and Twin Cities mobility.
"I was disappointed. It seems like they (MnDOT) just wanted us to give approval on what they've already done," stated Highway 14 President Les Abraham. "They're going to focus on maintaining instead of new roads."
Go to www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/statehighwayinvestmentplan for more information on MnSHIP.
Go to www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/statehighwayinvestmentplan for more information on MnSHIP.
Timeline for the 20-year plan:
End of October: complete public input
November: compile results for MnDOT leadership
Early December: set investment direction
January: districts compile 10-year project work plans
End of March: draft plan available for public review
April: public hearing on final plan
May/June: adopt final plan
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