Agenda - Council Work Session - 12/09/2014

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Page 6 RECOMMENDATION The Plan should fully incorporate the recommendations of the "A" -Minor Arterial System Evaluation Report into the TPP and document the key "A" -Minor and Non -Freeway Principal Arterial needs and funding gaps. Regional Highway System Needs The current revenue scenario plan predominantly focuses on MnPASS and preservation for the regional highway system and has limited vision related to strategic capacity enhancements. It would be extremely helpful for our planning if a scenario that allowed for additional transportation improvements (specifically highway projects) was analyzed. As the Plan is now, we cite the following concerns regarding the regional highway system. • There is not enough detail about the Principal Arterial needs in the region. • The regional highway needs identified in the additional revenue scenario and the needs beyond the increased revenue scenario are inadequate. • There is no inventory of the multitude of investments needed on the regional highway system. • The plan does not adequately explain the regional funding needs. • The plan does not account for non-traditional, federal, and state funded programs and projects. RECOMMENDATION The TPP should include a comprehensive vision for the regional highway system. This vision should not be constrained to funding within 2040 and it should describe what should happen in the region to address the majority of projected deficiencies. In addition to the two funding scenarios contained in the TPP, a scenario that assumes a higher amount of funding for highways should be added and analyzed to better identify the level of improvements necessary to achieve a satisfactory level of mobility in 2040. Reaion's Travel Management Organizations (TMO) The TPP contains minimal information on the TMOs operating within our region. In reviewing the 500-plus page document, there are less than 1.5 pages of information on the four individual TMOs, which includes Commute -Solutions operated in Anoka County. The lack of information on these important organizations within the TPP is concerning. One of the central questions asked of TMOs is what are they and who they represent. This is a question even asked by people in the transportation field, many of whom are the readers of this document. To not provide information on these individual organizations within this document is a discredit to their important role in the transportation system. RECOMMENDATION We suggest that the Met Council insert a map of the region that identifies the coverage areas for each of the TMOs. The inclusion of Information for each of the TMOs is also recommended,