FINAL 2012-15 STIP

statewide transportation planning. The most recent update ofStatewide Transportation Plan was completed in August of2009.MnDOT has concurrently updated the Statewide and DistrictHighway Investment Plans for the 2009-2028 time period.These plans lay out priorities for projected available fundingduring the next 20 years and establish a balanced program ofinvestment that help achieve strategic priorities of safety,mobility and infrastructure preservation.Both plans are available for downloading at the following webaddress: www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/stateplan/index.htmlPublic InvolvementThe last three Federal Transportation Acts have created less ofa federal presence in many transportation decisions. Thediminished federal role results in more state/local authority andresponsibility for these decisions. The funding flexibility andexpanded project eligibility under these acts has given decisionmakers more options to address transportation priorities. Publicinvolvement in transportation issues and decision making isvital because of this expanded eligibility and diversity. FederalLaw requires an opportunity for early and continuousinvolvement in the development of the StatewideTransportation Plan and the STIP. Public involvement is also amandatory component of the MPO planning process.the partners (MPOs, RDCs, counties, cities and others) intotheir roles on the ATP. MPOs in accordance with federalrequirements have developed public participation processesand use them in conjunction with the development of theirTransportation Improvement Programs (TIPs). The MPO TIPsinclude detailed discussion of public involvement.In addition to the public input derived through Minnesota’stransportation investment process, public meetings, forums,conferences and focus groups have been held throughout thestate by the ATP partners, MnDOT and modal partners such astransit, rail and bike/pedestrian. MnDOT’s public involvementguidebook entitled “Hear Every Voice” provides guidance oninvolving the public in planning, programming, and projectdevelopment.Other methods used to encourage public involvement includedthe use of newsletters, newspaper articles, informationalmailings, press releases, websites and an information display atthe Minnesota State Fair. A notice of the availability of thedraft 2012-2015 STIP was placed in the State Register onJune 13, 2011. This notice provided a 30 day comment periodto the public.Minnesota’s transportation investment process (Figure 2), withthe Area Transportation Partnerships (ATPs) provides for earlyand continuous involvement in the development of the STIP.The process incorporates the public involvement activities ofII-2