Laserfiche WebLink
the state's principal arterial system <br />and on the county state aid highway <br />(CSAH) system. <br />k) Funding for transportation <br />components of economic development <br />and redevelopment projects of <br />regional significance. <br />1) Full funding for all components of <br />state highway projects, including <br />related stormwater management <br />systems, through state sources. <br />m) Funding to build roads to standards <br />that can accommodate the year-round <br />transport of heavy loads. <br />n) A sales tax exemption for materials <br />purchased for state and local road, <br />bridge, sidewalk, trail and transit <br />construction projects. <br />o) Authority for cities to impose <br />development impact fees for <br />transportation infrastructure. <br />Local funding options that would <br />allow cities to raise revenues for <br />roads, bridges, sidewalks, trails, and <br />transit. <br />Expanded use of alternative revenue <br />sources such as MnPASS and other <br />tolling mechanisms for funding of <br />maintenance and construction (where <br />feasibility studies indicate the <br />program is appropriate). <br />p) <br />q) <br />LE-33. Truck Weight Restrictions <br />on Interstate Highways and <br />Freeways <br />Issue: Many of the industries that contribute <br />to Minnesota's economic vitality rely on <br />having the ability to transport heavy loads. <br />At the present time, the interstate highway <br />and freeway system in Minnesota has an <br />80,000 pound truck weight limit, which is <br />more restrictive than any surrounding state. <br />The 80,000 pound limit assumes all trucks <br />are equipped with five axles. Current law <br />provides that vehicles carrying additional <br />weight may only do so with a permit from <br />the Minnesota Department of Transportation <br />(MnDOT). <br />Business advocates have suggested that <br />Minnesota would have a more attractive <br />business climate and would be more <br />economically competitive with surrounding <br />states if truck weight restrictions were <br />modified. Specifically, they are <br />recommending that Minnesota allow trucks <br />with six axles to weigh up to 90,000 pounds, <br />and trucks with seven axles to weigh up to <br />95,000 pounds, to operate on the state's <br />interstate and freeway systems. More axles <br />mean the weight is distributed over a wider <br />area, thereby offsetting road wear. <br />Additional axles also improve braking <br />function. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities supports efforts to attract and <br />retain businesses in Minnesota. To that <br />end, the League supports increasing the <br />allowable weight limit for trucks traveling <br />on the interstate highway and freeway <br />systems within Minnesota so that trucks <br />with six axles may weigh up to 90,000 <br />pounds and trucks with seven axles may <br />weigh up to 95,000 pounds without a <br />permit. The League also supports <br />allowing MnDOT to designate routes for <br />heavy loads. <br />The League opposes limits on local <br />authority to impose and enforce weight <br />restrictions on local roads and bridges. <br />LE-34. Turnbacks of County and <br />State Roads <br />Issue: As road funding becomes <br />increasingly inadequate, more roads are <br />being "turned back" to cities from counties <br />and the state. <br />League of Minnesota Cities <br />2015 City Policies Page 68 <br />