Contacts
- Kevin Gutknecht
651-366-4266
Location
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Office of Communications
395 John Ireland Blvd.
Mail Stop 150
St. Paul, MN 55155-1899
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Mn/DOT asks Minnesotans for input to 50-year transportation system vision
Workshops will shape multimodal system for the next generation
ST PAUL, Minn.—Minnesotans will help determine the state’s transportation system vision for the next 50 years when the Minnesota Department of Transportation hosts a series of workshops across the state.
“Our current financial challenges and aging infrastructure make establishing a vision even more important,” said Tom Sorel, Mn/DOT commissioner. “The Minnesota GO workshops are Minnesotans’ opportunity to communicate their expectations for transportation today and for the next generation.”
The process will help the agency ensure future transportation planning efforts better align with Minnesotans’ expectations.
All workshops are from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.at the following locations and dates:
St. Cloud - May 16
St. Cloud State University, Voyageurs Room
Atwood Conference Center
651 S. First Ave.
Fergus Falls - May 17
Bigwood Event Center
925 Western Ave.
Bemidji - May 18
Bemidji State University, Crying Wolf Room Hobson Memorial Union
1500 Birchmont Ave. NE
Duluth - May 19
The Duluth Depot
St. Louis County Heritage and Arts Center
506 W. Michigan St.
St. Paul* - May 23
Como Park, Marjorie McNeely Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Drive
Mankato - May 26
Verizon Wireless Civic Center
1 Civic Center Plaza
Willmar - June 7
Ridgewater College, Large Outreach Room
2101 15th Ave. NW
Rochester - June 8
Rochester Community and Technical College
Heinz Commons Room
1926 College View Road SE
* An online participation option is available May 23 for those unable to attend a workshop in their area. Details at www.minnesotago.org.
Participants from all backgrounds will think broadly while sharing ideas and thoughts during a series of small group discussions about the future of transportation. No advanced reservation is necessary and organizers ask participants to stay for the entire workshop.
A 31-member steering committee will review feedback from the workshops, online discussions and related research. This will serve as the foundation for the recommended 50-year transportation vision statement and set of objectives. A public hearing on the proposed vision will follow in July.
Mn/DOT and other transportation organizations will then use the vision and information to develop and update short-term and long-term multi-modal transportation plans.
Mn/DOT’s transportation system responsibilities include:
- Planning, building and maintaining state roads, bridges and trails for vehicle operators, bicyclists and pedestrians.
- Planning and funding regional airports, railroads, public transit and ports owned and operated by local governments and private companies.
- Providing technical and financial assistance for local roads.
Minnesotans interested in getting involved can check out www.minnesotago.org. The website is hosted by the Citizen’s League and will be updated regularly with new content, discussion questions, surveys and videotaped interviews on a range of topics. High school students may also share their thoughts on the future of transportation at www.studentsspeakout.org.
To request translation services or other accommodations, contact Janet Miller at janet.rae.miller@state.mn.us, 651-366-4720 (Twin Cities metro area) or 1-800-657-3774 (greater Minnesota) at least three business days in advance.
These workshops are not the correct venue to advocate for a specific construction project.
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