2004 Minnesota Statutes

     174.01 Creation; policy. 

    Subdivision 1.    Department created.  In order to 
 provide a balanced transportation system, including aeronautics, 
 highways, motor carriers, ports, public transit, railroads and 
 pipelines, a Department of Transportation is created.  The 
 department is the principal agency of the state for development, 
 implementation, administration, consolidation, and coordination 
 of state transportation policies, plans and programs. 

    Subd. 2.    Transportation goals.  The goals of the 
 state transportation system are as follows: 

    (1) to provide safe transportation for users throughout the 
 state; 

    (2) to provide multimodal and intermodal transportation 
 that enhances mobility and economic development and provides 
 access to all persons and businesses in Minnesota while ensuring 
 that there is no undue burden placed on any community; 

    (3) to provide a reasonable travel time for commuters; 

    (4) to provide for the economical, efficient, and safe 
 movement of goods to and from markets by rail, highway, and 
 waterway; 

    (5) to encourage tourism by providing appropriate 
 transportation to Minnesota facilities designed to attract 
 tourists; 

    (6) to provide transit services throughout the state to 
 meet the needs of transit users; 

    (7) to promote productivity through system management and 
 the utilization of technological advancements; 

    (8) to maximize the benefits received for each state 
 transportation investment; 

    (9) to provide funding for transportation that, at a 
 minimum, preserves the transportation infrastructure; 

    (10) to ensure that the planning and implementation of all 
 modes of transportation are consistent with the environmental 
 and energy goals of the state; 

    (11) to increase high-occupancy vehicle use; 

    (12) to provide an air transportation system sufficient to 
 encourage economic growth and allow all regions of the state the 
 ability to participate in the global economy; 

    (13) to increase transit use in the urban areas by giving 
 highest priority to the transportation modes with the greatest 
 people moving capacity; and 

    (14) to promote and increase bicycling as an 
 energy-efficient, nonpolluting, and healthful transportation 
 alternative. 

    HIST: 1976 c 166 s 1; 1991 c 298 art 1 s 1