St. Paul, Minn. – On Sunday, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved the strongest transportation budget in a generation. The legislation makes critical investments in roads, bridges, and transit systems across the state, including $20 million in funding to expand Highway 5, a provision authored by Representative Lucy Rehm (DFL - Chanhassen).
“Today is a good day for our Chanhassen and Chaska residents, and all Minnesotans who use Highway 5 to get where they need to go,” said Rep. Rehm. “This $20 million investment will help make commutes more efficient, ease congestion, and importantly, we’ll be able to address the growing safety issues and traffic fatalities.”
With safety at the top of mind, Rep. Rehm also championed in the transportation budget the creation of a statewide Traffic Safety Advisory Council to collaborate on innovative and cross-sector solutions to counter Minnesota’s growing problem with dangerous driving and traffic fatalities. It delivers $1.75 million and $750,000 for public awareness and education to create new safe road zones upon local request. Rep. Rehm also secured $10 million for roadway improvements that reduce speed and eliminate intersection interactions on rural high-risk roadways and $300,000 million each year to reduce vehicle speeds and protect worker safety in construction work zones.
“As I continue to have conversations with our neighbors, they’re asking for progress, they’re asking for solutions to the complex transportation challenges we have in the west metro,” Rep. Rehm continued.
The Transportation Conference Committee Report also reflects DFLers’ commitment to slowing the effects of climate change. Transportation is the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions. The transportation bill invests in statewide public transit, electric vehicles, and Rep. Rehm’s measure, which includes funding an e-bike tax rebate on purchases up to $2,000.
The transportation budget passed the House on a bipartisan vote of 69-61 and on a party-line vote of 34-32 in the DFL-led Senate. It now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.
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