Transportation Planning Process

Mn/DOT develops a 20-year state plan, a 10-year highway investment plan and an annually updated four-year State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) using an extensive public involvement process. These plans are informed by special studies and metropolitan, regional and tribal plans. Mn/DOT identifies and develops projects for the state trunk highway system and coordinates involvement of other stakeholders on all modes. The process of prioritizing projects for funding in the STIP is done with the participation of Area Transportation Partnerships, which are committees of local government office holders or their delegates and Mn/DOT employees.

Legislative Role in Transportation Planning

The Legislature has no formal role in this process. With rare exceptions, the Legislature does not identify projects in legislation. Legislators do, however, regularly introduce bills that would prioritize certain projects more highly than in the existing plan. The Legislature does not approve the transportation plans, but may review them at legislative hearings. The Legislature appropriates funds within broad categories, and can set investment priorities in that way.