MetCouncil: People Set Stimulus $ Priorities

Wednesday, April 15, 1:30 pm
Metropolitan Council Chambers (390 Robert St. North in downtown St. Paul)
The meeting begins at 1:30 and public comment will likely begin around 2:00 pm

Join Transit for Livable Communities for a very important meeting on Wednesday afternoon as the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) hears public testimony on how the region should spend $230 million in federal stimulus dollars. Should the priorities be:

• "Fix it first" – repairing the metro region’s roads, bridges, sidewalks and bicycle routes and providing more transit options OR
• Building two more highway expansion projects?

Fix-it-first/more options will create substantially more jobs (16% more, according to "The Best Stimulus for the Money published by Smart Growth America)!

Many people are already signed up to testify. We strongly encourage you to attend to demonstrate your concern that this money be wisely spent!  The federal stimulus dollars are not “highway” money and can be used for any transportation mode – roads, transit, sidewalks, and bike routes.  Our region already has one of the nation’s most extensive regional highway systems, it’s time to prioritize repair and projects that advance safe and convenient travel options for all residents. 

Support the disability community.
Minnesota is 10 years behind in work to repair and upgrade our infrastructure to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Transportation stimulus money can be spent to upgrade sidewalks, curb cuts, accessible pedestrian signals, and other infrastructure for the mobility impaired. Ken Rogers is looking for volunteers to help give rides to people who are mobility impaired who could not otherwise attend the hearing on Wednesday. If you can help, email Michelle at TLC and we'll pass your name on.

(For more detail on TLC's position on the stimulus see our statement to the Metropolitan Council or our "Spending the Stimulus" report, both on our website.)

Summary of the metro area stimulus transportation money:

Here is a quick summary of the $317 million in metro area stimulus transportation funding:
•    MnDOT selected projects, any mode, must be approved by TAB--$168 million ($9 million already allocated)
•    TAB selected project any mode -- $73 million
•    TAB selected Enhancement (bike/walk) projects -- $7.5 million
•    Metropolitan Council selected transit projects--$69 million

For more information, contact Michelle at TLC at michelled@tlcminnesota.org or 651-767-0298 x110.