BU-07941     2003

To Order

Infrastructure

Minnesota is served by several transportation modes, all of which receive government support. Growing economies need safe and efficient transportation systems. The strength of this connection is demonstrated by the fact that one of the greatest transportation problems, traffic congestion, is generally a problem only in prosperous places: the economy has grown faster than the infrastructure can be constructed to meet its needs.

Minnesota has the fifth largest highway system in the United States. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is directly responsible for the 11,933 miles of the trunk highway system and its 20,107 bridges. These highways make up only about 9% of the total statewide system mileage, but they carry about 61% of the annual vehicle miles. The remaining 123,557 miles of road are under the jurisdiction of local governments.

Minnesota does offer other modes of transportation. There are 160 publicly and privately owned airports and seaplane bases. Minnesota has two principal commercial waterways, the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway system and the Mississippi River (including its tributaries, the Minnesota and St. Croix Rivers), on which Minnesota’s agricultural and mining economies heavily depend. In addition, there are 26 rail carriers that operate on 4,544 miles of track.

The primary means of transporting people and goods within Minnesota, however, is by highway. Highways have become the vascular system of the state’s economy, and remain crucial to that economy. The limitations of depending so heavily upon one mode are becoming apparent, however, as booming growth in the Twin Cities area puts unbearable pressure on the urban highway system. At the same time, Greater Minnesota counties have increasingly scarce resources for maintaining the safety and utility of the existing network, as that population concentrates into regional trade centers. Further, the state’s population is aging, which will lead increasing numbers of people to rely on modes other than their own automobiles to get around. Fortunately, technological innovations are coming that can improve the safety and efficiency of all transportation modes. Minnesota will be well served to explore these options as it invests in a multi-modal system that will support our economic health well into the future.

Frank Douma
Research Fellow
State and Local Policy Program
Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
University of Minnesota

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