The SRDC Transportation Work Program objective is to continue coordination with Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in the planning and development of a comprehensive transportation system in southwest Minnesota. Work elements to achieve this objective include:

1. Update the SRDC's evaluation process with respect to Regional Significance to maintain its utility in impacting transportation decision-making.
2. Convene the SRDC Transportation Committee to consider local, regional and statewide transportation issues; to review and comment on MnDOT's planning and development programs, plans, and studies; and to identify Regional transportation priorities, concerns, and issues.
3. Provide professional assistance to local units of government or local and regional transportation issues.
4. Work with SRDC Aging Program Director and MnDOT to continue transit coordination efforts in the Region.
5. Work with MnDOT to prepare Regional Studies required by the Legislature (i.e. Functional Classification, Market Artery, Economic Analysis, Scenic By-ways), and to conduct long range transportation planning.
   

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   Economic Activity in SW MN – June 2004

   This document is a brief analysis of economic activity, primarily focused on freight generators but also identifying some commuter and visitor draws that are located in or impact the nine counties in southwest Minnesota.  

   This document was developed to provide input into the MnDOT District 7 and 8 Plans. 

   If you see errors or recommend additions to the document, please email me at phydev@swrdc.org or call 507.836.8547 ext 101.  Thanks – Annette

   Table of Contents

   Economic Activity in SW MN 

   Appendices 1-6  – Business, Elevator, and Agriculture activity information

   Appendix 7  – Highway Corridors – Contains a brief economic overview of each state highway in SW MN and identifies safety issues, concerns.

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The Transportation Committee is convened to review, comment, and make recommendations on local, regional, district, and statewide transportation issues, plans, and programming. The Committee actively participates in commenting on transportation projects submitted for Federal Surface Transportation Funds. The Committee holds an annual meeting in June with the Mn/DOT District Engineers (Mankato and Willmar) to discuss transportation issues, concerns, and priorities; and to facilitate communication between local units of government and Mn/DOT.

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The SRDC Transportation Committee membership is derived from the SRDC Full Commission, of which the majority are elected officials. The current membership of the Committee is:

Regional Planning - The SRDC Work Program identifies the need to conduct long-range transportation planning to promote a seamless transportation network. This is accomplished by working with MnDOT to prepare Regional Studies required by the legislature (i.e. Functional Classification, Market Artery, Economic Analysis, Scenic By-ways), and review and provide assistance with proposed plans to upgrade present transportation systems that serve the Region.

The 2007  Regional Transportation Planning is focusing on continuing to provide development and economic development information to MnDOT.  In addition, the SRDC will continue to assist in facilitating regional coordination of Human Service and Public Transit coordination.

General Technical Assistance. The SRDC provides professional assistance to local units of governments on local and regional transportation issues.

• Functional re-classification requests.
• Traffic counts.
• Information relating to specific transportation projects and their status.
• Assisting enhancement applicants with the proposal process.
• Information dissemination and feedback.

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The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and its reauthorization in 1998 the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) gave states more flexibility in determining transportation solutions and required the development of a Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. TEA-21 authorized the Federal surface transportation programs for the 6-year period 1998-2003, and was extended into 2005.  On August 10, 2005, the President signed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) which authorizes Federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for a 5-year period (2005-2009).

With the passage of the first TEA act, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) decentralized the program decision- making process to a more local level. Area Transportation Partnerships (ATP) were established to facilitate a broader input into the project selection process. The ATPs provide more local input on the investment of federal transportation fund.

There are nine ATPs in Minnesota. The ATPs boundaries follow the MnDOT District State Aid boundaries. The Southwest Regional Development Commission participates in two Partnerships: ATP 7 (Mankato) and ATP 8 (Willmar).

The SRDC Participates in ATPs through

• An evaluation process with respect to Regional Significance criteria or regional comment to maintain its' utility in transportation decision-making.
• The ATP public participation process.
• The provision of technical assistance to the ATP's to facilitate programming.
• Membership on ATP 7 and ATP 8.

Area Transportation Partnership 7 (ATP-7), Minnesota Department of Transportation District Seven
ATP 7 Information, Policies and Procedures Manual, and Applications, please click the following link: http://rndc.org/HOST_MN_ATP7_Home.htm. 

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The SRDC provides staff assistance and assists to facilitate coordination of transit efforts in the Region.

Public Transportation Systems and Contacts in Southwest Minnesota:

CONTENTS OF PLAN SECTIONS

Executive Summary

Section 1:  Introduction and Purpose
*Role of the plan
*Description of the process and public involvement

Section 2:  Inventory 
*Overview of existing transit available in the Southwest Region
*Profile/description of service providers
*Directory of service providers
*Coordination 
     +Current coordination
     +Obstacles and barriers identified
*Opportunities to coordinate

Section 3:  Needs Assessment
*Economic/demographic trends
*Customer needs and expectations
*Service analysis based on MnDOT level of service measures
Human service issues and needs

Section 4:  Strategies and Implementation
*Overview
*Fiscally constrained coordination strategies that enhance service delivery, reduce duplication, increase coordination and are fiscally constrained
*Specific gaps in Southwest Minnesota:  Identified at September 15, 2006 meeting

Regional Transit Coordination Project – 2005 and 2006. 

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US DOT. This link provides access to other state DOT websites, Federal agencies related to Transportation, http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/webstate.htm

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). This website provides access to the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), News and Events, Road and Traveler Information, Links to the modal office in MnDOT, Publications, and Links to Other sites. http://www.dot.state.mn.us/

511 Traveler Information.  This weblink provides information about road and weather conditions.  http://www.511mn.org

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This website provides information about the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, FHWA Programs, Legislation, and other websites. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/

For Questions or More information: Contact Annette Bair phydev@swrdc.org
507/836-8547 extension 101.

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