A Multi-jurisdictional Approach To Transportation Planning For Minnesota's Rural Rebound!
by Dave Montebello
"If you build it, they will come" is a byword in transportation, but what if you don't build it and they come anyway? Would you be prepared?
Demographic information suggests that a rural rebound is occurring throughout the nation as increasing numbers of people-among them retiring baby boomers-migrate back to small towns. A number of factors make smaller communities appealing, including lower taxes, lower labor costs, and relatively inexpensive transportation costs. Technological advancements that make people less dependent on central offices are also contributing to a rebound in rural population.
Minnesota is experiencing both population increases and declines depending upon the area of the state. Population declines are projected in rural plain counties to the south and west of the Twin Cities, while a spine of growth occurs from the southeast to the north through the Twin Cities to the lake country.
Since transportation issues can cross many agency boundaries, it is imperative that many regions develop a multi-jurisdictional approach to transportation studies. SRF Consulting Group, Inc. has worked with numerous communities to develop multi-jurisdictional transportation plans. Among these communities are Mankato/North Mankato area, Wright County, Sherburne County, city of Hutchinson, and Carver County.
The goal of these planning activities is to develop a vision for the future that communities can work toward over time. This enables communities to leverage opportunities as they arise while minimizing the potential negative impacts of growth. Developing an orderly growth plan and identifying potential transportation problems as well as solutions based on a multi-jurisdictional approach can result in many positive benefits for local communities, counties, and regional agencies. Some of these benefits are described below.
Establish a Common Set of Goals and Vision
One of the most important elements of multi-jurisdictional planning is to establish a common set of goals and vision. This provides a unified direction for all of the agencies as they implement the plan.
Common goals and a transportation vision for communities have been established through joint agency discussions and a public participation process. For example, in Mankato/North Mankato a long-range system plan was identified that addressed changes to the trunk highway, county road, and local city street systems. In addition, access management guidelines were instituted and common vision was achieved for TH 169 in Mankato and North Mankato. In Hutchinson, the plan built consensus for a peripheral roadway system and a concept plan for TH 7 through downtown Hutchinson.
Improve Communication Relating Transportation Issues and Solutions
Communication is one of the keys to building support for transportation solutions and long-range transportation vision for the community or region.
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Most of the multi-jurisdictional studies used a technical advisory committee (TAC) to assist in directing the studies, review technical information, and to provide additional input. The technical advisory committees included technical and policy-level staff from each of the agencies.
The selection of this staff sends an important message to communities and businesses regarding the importance of the joint planning effort. Committing key staff may help attract the interest of key decision-makers and policy officials. For example, Jim Swanson, Mn/DOT district engineer, played a significant role in small-group meetings in the Mankato/North Mankato study.
Involving a top-level staff person has the tendency to attract greater interest from local council members, county boards, and city officials. Attracting key policymakers not only provides an opportunity to enhance communication, it also provides opportunities for education and relationship building.
The multi-jurisdictional planning process initiated discussions with numerous transportation interests and policymakers. During the initial planning sessions, key stakeholders were identified in each of the communities. Examples of these stakeholder groups include local businesses, community groups, school districts, law enforcement agencies, trucking, railroad, and local government agencies. Engaging these types of transportation interest groups early in the process provided a good understanding of transportation issues in the area and also provided unique insight on potential compromises and solutions. In addition, public open house meetings were held at key points in the study process to communicate study results and to solicit input.
Improve Relationships and Teamwork
While a study can provide a framework for agencies to work from, the study process also should foster mutual trust and an understanding of other agencies' transportation issues and priorities. Ongoing relationships among agencies and key staff are vital to implementation of the plan and to resolve future problems and planning decisions. Building these relationships is an ongoing process that was begun through the technical committee discussions and during small-group meetings.
Leverage Limited Funds
Partnering on transportation studies enables agencies to pool financial resources to reduce initial costs and implement high priority improvements more quickly. In addition, by involving private businesses in the discussions and small-group meetings, they are better able to understand the overall transportation plan and economic constraints. This can increase opportunities to leverage private sector funding sources with public funding sources for specific improvement projects.
Conclusion
Combining forces is essential if cities, counties, and regions are going to meet the demands of the rural rebound successfully. Multi-jurisdictional transportation planning is an opportunity to pool information, expertise, and resources and to jointly accomplish results that a single agency would be hard pressed to achieve.
If you need further information on these studies contact Jim Swanson, Mn/DOT Mankato (507-389-6869); John Rodeberg, city of Hutchinson (320-234-4208); or Dave Montebello, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. (612-475-0010).