U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) recently sent a letter to the Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, urging the rural infrastructure priorities to be included in the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success initiative.
Constituents have voiced the priorities as part of the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success initiative, the senators said.
Rural Minnesotans expressed five priorities.
More than 16 percent of rural Minnesotans lack access to high-speed internet, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. U.S. Department of Transportation policies help streamline broadband deployment and reduce the costs of building new broadband infrastructure.
Rural communities would benefit from improved rail-freight safety, such as strengthening local bridges and increasing road capacity for trucks and cargo vehicles.
Approximately 70 percent of rural transit users do not have access to a car or a driver’s license, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and rely on public transportation, bicycle lanes, or pedestrian walkways.
Roads managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs need federal funding for safety improvements and maintenance.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will benefit from additional resources that allow it to help local officials meet initial regulatory requirements for federal grants.