Minnesota’s road conditions
As of 2008, 56% of Minnesota’s state-owned major roads were in “good” condition, meaning they were smooth and without potholes. 43% of Minnesota’s roads had fallen out of good condition, meaning they will now be increasingly expensive to repair and maintain. The condition of 1% of Minnesota’s roads was not reported.
Minnesota’s highway spending priorities
Between 2004 and 2008, Minnesota spent 45% of its highway capital expenditures on road expansion – $385 million each year on average – but only 21% on repair and maintenance of existing roads – $180 million. That 45% of spending on expansion added 279 lane-miles to Minnesota’s road network.
Minnesota would need to spend $672 million annually for the next twenty years to get the current backlog of poor-condition major roads into a state of good repair and maintain all state-owned roads in good condition. Shifting more funds toward repair would go a long way toward addressing the state’s maintenance needs.
Minnesota’s road condition goals
Minnesota uses the Ride Quality Index to measure pavement condition and aims to maintain at least 70% of state-owned roads in “good” or better condition and have less than 2% in “poor” condition between 2009 and 2028.
For more information about Minnesota’s pavement management program, including the source and methodology for the above information, see the appendices of Repair Priorities.
Read more about Minnesota’s transportation spending
Smart Transportation Minnesota: Save Money and Growth the Economy
This Smart Growth America report provides more extensive analysis of Minnesota’s transportation spending priorities and recommendations for how state leaders can make the most of Minnesota’s transportation funds.
