MN HF1234

Appropriates $100,000 from the trunk highway fund and $75,000 from the general fund to the commissioner of transportation in fiscal year 2014, available through fiscal year 2015, for a Rochester area study.

Requires the commissioner to contract with a consultant having expertise in economics, economic development, demography, urban planning, engineering, and transportation to conduct the study.

Study must utilize at least a 20-year planning horizon and perform a comprehensive assessment of transportation infrastructure in the Rochester metropolitan area based on expected economic development patterns.

Study must analyze major roadways across all jurisdictions including trunk highways, county highways, and city arterial streets, and account for transportation impacts of major initiatives such as Mayo Clinic expansion.

Commissioner must provide an electronic copy of the completed study to relevant legislative committee chairs and ranking minority members by January 15, 2014.