Developing a new strategy for highway investments

It’s often been said, “You can’t build your way out of congestion.” Like it or not, that statement is more true than ever.

Transportation experts estimate that adding enough highway capacity to fully eliminate traffic congestion in our region would cost more than $40 billion over the next 20 years. If used alone, that would require a gasoline tax increase of more than $2 a gallon.

Such a strategy would be highly unrealistic even in the best of economic times. That’s why the Metropolitan Council has joined with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in a study to develop a new metro highway investment strategy.

We estimate we will have about $900 million available for highway capacity and major safety improvements in the metro area over the next 20 years. That’s enough to pay for three or four of the dozen major highway expansion projects that have been on the drawing boards.

No matter which three or four projects we might select, that would still leave the vast majority of our anticipated congestion problems unaddressed.

Instead, we need a new strategy that employs innovation, technology, multi-modal solutions and targeted capacity expansions that deliver the most system-wide benefit for the most people.

This approach might include ramp metering, variable message signs, enhanced incident management, improved transit, more priced lanes for people who choose to pay or ride transit, and land-use changes that reduce vehicle miles traveled.

Our goal: to wring every bit of capacity possible out of our metropolitan highway system.

At the same time, we recognize the uncertainty of long-range transportation revenue forecasts. In our study this year, we intend to develop a list of prioritized projects that could be advanced if unforeseen revenues become available.

In late January, we kicked off this study with a workshop attended by more than 100 key stakeholders. We plan to hold outreach meetings throughout the region, complete a draft plan by mid-year and incorporate the final product into our 2030 Transportation Policy Plan by the end of the year.

Peter Bell

March 2010