News Release

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Lt. Gov./ Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau today submitted a report to the state Legislature recommending methods to streamline and supplement funding for Mn/DOT’s rest area program.

The 2003 Legislature requested the report after Molnau’s proposal to keep all state rest areas open through June 2004, granting the department a year to explore more efficient ways to operate the rest area program and offset its cost to the state.

"Our goal is to maintain a comprehensive and consistent rest area system that responds to the safety and service needs of the motorists,” said Molnau. “We have taken this time to reassess the program and research innovative ways to redirect funding from facilities that do not serve a highway safety rest area purpose to fund those that do.”

Mn/DOT will initiate legislation that allows the department to implement new funding alternatives and improve existing programs.

Over a six-year period, Mn/DOT will stop funding sites that do not meet a highway safety purpose; however, the department will seek opportunities to transfer ownership to appropriate public or private partners.

“With evaluation of each rest area, we looked at safety first,” said Molnau. “We will continue to work closely with the Department of Natural Resources and other public and private agencies where possible for a seamless transfer of services.”

Mn/DOT currently oversees approximately 281 sites at a cost of approximately $6 million annually.

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