MN Highway Plan Calls for Safety Improvements

WILLMAR (AP) - One of the priorities of Minnesota's highway plan for the next two decades calls for investing in safety-related road improvements.

The Department of Transportation recently wrapped up a 20-year state highway investment plan.

The plan also calls for new connections for multimodal transportation and other projects that foster economic development, along with shoring up the existing infrastructure over the next 10 years.

The second 10 years focuses almost exclusively on preserving and maintaining existing roads and bridges.

The plan identifies $30 billion worth of transportation needs over the next 20 years but officials only anticipate $18 billion in revenue, leaving many projects unfunded.

The plan was developed through meetings with the public and a steering committee of city and county stakeholders.