Question 3: To what extent do you intend to support investment in maintaining Minnesota’s highway system and expanding its mass transit system given the age of the state’s highway system, population and business growth, and the mass transit needs of an aging and dispersed population?

BENSON Response to Question 3

We must aggressively tackle transportation funding needs because whether you live in the country or the city, safe and efficient transportation systems are essentials tools for economic success. Minnesota’s economy has always been based on agriculture and therefore, providing a farm-to-market network of road, rail, and water transportation system is paramount to the welfare of the entire state. We must always make a determined effort to set aside adequate resources for roads, bridges, and other infrastructure needs. This is particularly important now that we have our fiscal house in order. In addition, many of the bridges in our state are reaching the end of their life span and must be reinforced, upgraded, or replaced.

When appropriated wisely, transportation investments should generate value. I support principles that integrate several modes of transportation; focus on the customer; support existing and new industries; use the best technology; and protect the environment.

Transit should be a statewide resource providing an avenue to alleviate congestion on freeways, provide safety to commuters, and help in the movement of commodities and products throughout the system. We must provide convenient transit services to our aging population as their primary mode of transportation and in both rural and metro areas. Using citizen advisory groups, I will take a critical look at ways to make transit fit all of our needs. We will work together to resist the parochialism that interferes with finding workable solutions.