“Easing traffic congestion is a matter of investment in our transportation infrastructure.Congestion is getting worse and at a faster pace than almost anywhere in the country.We need to develop a variety of transportation options that address today ’s problems while preparing our state for future growth.I will continue to urge State legislators to invest in our highways and transit system,and fight to provide them the federal dollars they need to get the job done.” - Paul Wellstone

Wellstone Came Through With $125 Million for Minnesota’s Transportation Needs in 2002
Paul Wellstone came through with $125 million in funding to help solve Minnesota ’s traffic congestion in 2002 by working to attach critical funding onto the Senate ’s annual transportation appropriations.

$8.85 Million for Minnesota Highway Initiatives, including:
• $1.75 million for the Phalen Boulevard Project in St.Paul,Minnesota .The funding will be used to
construct a 2.1-mile,4 lane roadway connecting a redeveloping inner city neighborhood and industrial area
directly to I-35E just north of both downtown and the junction of I-35E and I-94.
• $1.6 Million for the Highway 610/10 in Minnesota. Funding will be used for the construction of the
Western Interchange at I-94 and Highway 610/10.When completed Highway 610/10 will connect I-94 in
Maple Grove to Interstate Highway 35-West in Mounds View in the northwest quadrant of the Twin Cities
Metropolitan area.
• $1.5 Million for the Southeast Main and Rail Relocation Project in Moorhead,Minnesota. This funding
will support construction of two rail underpasses along Southeast Main Street in Moorehead.These
underpasses are urgently needed near one of the busiest rail traffic areas in the state,where it is projected
that Burlington Northern/Sante Fe will double their rail traffic.

$42 Million for Rail and Highway Improvements and the Greater MN Transit Authorities:
• $1 Million for the Shortline Railroad Rehabilitation Project. Funding will be used to rehabilitate and
upgrade the existing Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority ’s (MVRRA)Shortline Railroad .
• $7 Million for the Ford Bridge;$6 Million for Minnesota Guidestar;$3 Million for Highway 212 in
Hennepin County;$1 Million for the Metropolitan Council Reverse Commute Grant;$10 Million for the
Bassett Creek Greenway;$7 Million for the Fall to Falls Corridor;$1.5 million for the St.Cloud
Metropolitan Transit Commission;$3.75 million for the Greater Minnesota Transit Authorities at the MN
Department of Transportation;$500,000 for the Rush Line Corridor;$13.5 million for Metro Transit.