Highway 53 expansion prospects

The Mesabi Daily News has an interesting story today about efforts to expand State Highway 53, the major north/south byway of northern Minnesota and the Iron Range. Coupled with State Highway 169, (the Range’s east/west route) these highway improvements are absolutely necessary for a safer, more efficient infrastructure in our region.

Highway 53 matching funds still a concern
Road expansion to Cook
By Charles Ramsay, Mesabi Daily News

VIRGINIA — Finding the funds for Minnesota state match for the Highway 53 four-lane expansion to Cook continues as a major concern for officials.

State Rep. Tom Anzelc, DFL-Bovey, told members of the Highway 53 Long-Range Task Force Wednesday that there were many lawmakers backing a nickel a gallon increase in the state gas tax in the 2008 session starting Feb. 12, and perhaps some combination of bonding, gas tax and other funding can be put into place.

Minnesota Department of Transportation officials told the group they hoped to have plans in place by 2010 for the next segment, Rice River to Cook, which may be up for state match funding by 2012. The expansion is planned to have a four-lane highway to Cook.

About $42 million in federal highway funding specifically for the nine-mile expansion to Cook that U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., helped secure in the SAFETEA-LU Highway Act still needs about $7.93 million in state matching funds to meet the 80 percent federal, 20 percent state mix.

Anzelc said backers of a 5-cent-per-gallon tax increase have 68 votes in the House and 34 votes in the state Senate, enough to pass it, although that may not be enough for funding, he added.

While he has not been in favor of borrowing for transportation before, Anzelc said he has changed his mind, and maybe a mix of a modest gas tax increase, some bonding and some borrowing may help the bill be signed. Last year, legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Pawlenty could not agree on a transportation funding package.

“Let’s pass a bill in the first month’’ of the session, Anzelc said. “This isn’t about politics, it’s about public safety.’’