Federal highway funds for intersections and interchange infrastructure projects would be prioritized under legislation from U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) that he argues will improve the safety of the nation’s roads and alleviate congestion.
The National Interchange/Intersection Safety Construction Program (NIISCP) Act aims to increase local control over federal transportation funding and enable intersection and interchange projects to compete for funding.
“One of the government’s most essential jobs is to maintain efficient and safe transportation infrastructure,” Emmer said. “Unfortunately, we’ve fallen behind in this area, much to the detriment of the great state of Minnesota. The NIISCP Act puts local governments back in charge of how and where our tax dollars are spent in order to reduce accidents and save lives.”
Rather than increasing spending or creating a need for additional appropriations, the NIISCP Act would dedicate $250 million in existing annual federal highway funds to interchange and intersection development and allow local entities to apply and compete for them.
Projects on the National Highway System that are supported by local entities would be selected on a competitive basis under the bill.
Emmer makes the case that deteriorating interchanges increase the risk of accidents, with 28 percent of fatal crashes occurring at or near intersections.
A Federal Highway Administration study found a 70 percent reduction in fatalities and a 42 percent reduction in injury crashes where improved intersections are used.
Poorly maintained intersections also cost the nation lost economic development. Congestion costs in Minnesota increased 37.6 percent between 2014 and 2015, according to the American Transportation Research Institute.
“Minnesotans know firsthand the insufficient interchanges and intersections on US 10, Highway 55 and I-94,” Emmer said. “This bill will not only set aside funds dedicated to making sure intersections and interchanges are safe, but it will also relieve congestion so Minnesotans can keep moving and our state’s businesses can grow and thrive.”