Minnesota’s trunk highway system is a network of roadways that span the state. The trunk highway system takes various forms, from small-town main streets to large urban freeways, and serves all transportation modes. These highways aren’t just for cars – they’re vital corridors that connect our communities, whether we’re driving, walking, biking, or taking public transit. However, a narrow interpretation of the 1920 constitutional amendment prioritized funding for one mode at the expense of all others.

The Origins of “Highway Purpose”

Minnesota law requires that the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund be spent on “highway purposes”. The origin of this law dates back to a 1920 constitutional amendment that established the state’s trunk highway system. Upon the establishment of the trunk highway system, the state constitution restricted funding to “any reasonable means of communication” on the trunk highway system. This was later amended to restrict funding to “highway purposes” via a 1956 amendment. Highway purpose has since been very narrowly interpreted to mean only pavement and asphalt for cars and not for any pedestrian, bicycle, or transit infrastructure within the highway right-of-way. This interpretation makes little sense, considering that when the trunk highway system was first established, it was common for Minnesotans to utilize a variety of travel modes on the highway system, including bicycles and even horses and buggies.

Fixing “highway purpose” to include all modes.

Our Streets is working with allies to advance legislation that would clarify that highway funds can be used for all types of transportation infrastructure along highway corridors. The policy also puts us on par with climate and transportation leaders like Colorado, who passed a similar policy in 2013. This change has strong public support – 66% of Minnesotans favor using state and federal highway funding to improve various transportation options rather than just expanding highways.

This policy would benefit Minnesotans in several practical ways:

  • It would make our transportation dollars go further by allowing more flexible and efficient use of existing funding
  • It would help create safer and more accessible routes for everyone, regardless of how they choose to travel
  • It would support Minnesota’s environmental goals by making it easier to fund climate-friendly transportation options
  • It would reduce project costs and delays by eliminating the need to find separate funding sources for non-car infrastructure along highways
  • It would increase Minnesota’s economic vitality by connecting people to jobs, opportunities, and daily needs through a transportation system that works for all

This is a commonsense update to align our state’s funding practices with how Minnesotans actually use our trunk highways today while respecting the original intent of the State Constitution to provide “reasonable means of communication” between communities – regardless of how people choose to travel. 

Learn More

Contact your representatives.

Ask your legislator to clarify “highway purpose” to include all modes of transportation.