In 2003, 12 major highway construction projects advanced under the Pawlenty-Molnau Transportation Finance Bill - the largest transportation investment in state history. This funding allowed Mn/DOT to advance selected projects by an average of five years per project.

The funding package provided more than $900 million over and above the state's standard construction program and included funds for transit and highway safety and preservation projects.

Most of the bond accelerated projects in the 2003 package are now complete, under construction or will begin during the 2006 construction season.

In 2005, Gov. Pawlenty and Lt. Gov. Molnau proposed a 10-year, $7.15 billion package that would have funded construction of new highway capacity and dedicated transitways in the metropolitan area, as well as significant improvements to statewide interregional corridors. The plan also would have provided additional long-term funding for local roads and transit.

This "Building Even More, Building Faster, Moving Better" proposal had two main financing components:

• Constitutional amendment to permanently dedicate 100 percent of the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST) to transportation, providing an additional $2.65 billion for transportation over 10 years
  
• $4.5 billion, 10-year bonding package that will accelerate construction of major highway projects
  

Although the Legislature did not pass the entire increase in transportation financing sought by the administration, it did pass the cornerstone of the governor’s plan - legislation calling for a vote on a constitutional amendment dedicating motor vehicle sales tax to transportation, which will be on the ballot in the state general election on Nov. 7, 2006.