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Increase in state highway funds will help county ‘catch up’ on projects |
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
During the first week of the 2008 Session, the Minnesota State Legislature passed a bipartisan transportation package that directs $6.6 billion into Minnesota’s transportation system over the next 10 years.
Governor Pawlenty attempted to derail the bill when he vetoed the measure. But the Legislature overrode his decision on February 28. The override passed in the House on a bipartisan basis by a margin of 91 to 41, with six Republicans joining all the Democrats in the final vote.
The legislation is funded with a two cent gas tax increase beginning April 1, an additional three cents starting Oct. 1, 2008; a gas tax surcharge (up to 3.5 cents) to pay off debt service on transportation bonding; an increase in tab fees; a 1/4 sales tax increase in the Metro counties; dedication of MVST funds on leased vehicles to roads and transit; and $50 million in general obligation bonds for local bridges.
Local impact
But what does this mean for Houston County? According to Houston County Highway Engineer Marcus Evans, the county will receive an additional $341,000 above and beyond the $3.3 million annual payment received by the state in 2009. As the gas tax increases, the annual amount from the state will increase up to an additional $1.3 million Over the next 10 years Houston County will receive an additional $9.2 million.
“This is great news for motorists in Minnesota and in this corner of the state,” Evans said. “Houston County won’t be going out and building new roads. Because state funding has been so flat in recent years, we’ve been in a hole, when it comes to fixing our roads. We were only able to do the bare minimum. We’ve been playing catch-up for some time.
“Houston County will remain in the reservation mode, and will continue doing milling and over-lay projects,” Evans continued.
Some of the county roads requiring attention include CSAH #26 in the Money Creek area, CSAH #25 in Mound Prairie Township, CSAH #14 and CSAH #5 both southeast of Caledonia, and CSAH #4 in the Black Hammer and Yucatan areas.
As far as the state highways running through Houston County, Evans noted Highway 76 south of Caledonia to Eitzen is scheduled to be redone this summer, beginning after July 1.
“I really haven’t heard any plans for Highway 44, which is really getting to be in tough shape, or Highway 16,” Evans noted. “The state projects will be scheduled with the highest usage ones completed first. The increase in the gas tax does give the state more options, because there is more money to work with.”
Evans added with the slumping economy, and record gas prices, the increase in the gas tax will have a negative impact for many motorists. But with the current situation in the state’s infrastructure, something needed to be done. The last gas tax increase was approved 20 years ago in 1988.
And because of the gas tax increase, the state will receive over $1 billion in Federal matching funds over the next decade.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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