News Release

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, who also serves as state transportation commissioner, today presented a new proposal to the state Legislature that would keep all of Minnesota's roadside rest areas open through June 2004.

Under Molnau's plan, Mn/DOT would tap $2 million in unspent appropriations from the fiscal year (FY) 2002-03 biennium to supplement rest area funding in FY 2004. The plan would also allow Mn/DOT to maintain its FY 2004-05 commitment to providing $84 million in internal Mn/DOT budget reallocations to support the Pawlenty-Molnau administration's $1.2 billion transportation financing plan. Earlier this year, as part of the administration's plan to increase funding for transportation projects, Mn/DOT had proposed changes in rest area operations that would have resulted in some closures.

"Under this proposal, Mn/DOT will have an additional year to explore more efficient ways to operate the state's rest areas, including privatization, enhanced partnerships with local communities and businesses, better management of hours of operation and potential closure where closure makes sense," said Lt. Gov. Molnau. "I am pleased that both the House and the Senate have provided support for rest area privatization and partnership concepts in their respective transportation finance bills."

Molnau added that while Minnesota taxpayers have voiced their strong support for the administration's transportation finance plan, they have also voiced concern relating to the potential closure of rest areas.

"We greatly appreciate and encourage the input we have received from Minnesota travelers and this proposed budget revision responds to their concerns. Moreover, in anticipation of legislative support, Mn/DOT will immediately begin the process of opening all rest areas throughout the state, as some were not open for travel this season pending further evaluation," she said.

Mn/DOT operates 77 rest areas throughout the state, including 11 traveler information center rest areas.