State funding for roads in small cities

The latest state legislative session included an appropriation of $12.5 million as state aid for roads in small cities.“This is no substitute for a long-term transportation plan, but a good first step, and a way to help our small cities who are too often left behind in favor of road fixes in larger areas,” said state Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe.
Gruenhagen is right in calling it a “first step.” This is the first time that smaller cities, such as Silver Lake, Brownton, Stewart, Plato, New Auburn and Biscay, are receiving a share of state transportation funding for local roads. Larger cities, including Hutchinson and Glencoe, have already been receiving some funding.
The amounts received by each city may seem small. The amounts allotted to area cities include: Biscay, $7,489; Brownton, $14,816; Lester Prairie, $22,048; Plato, $10,465; Silver Lake, $15,054; Stewart, $13,710; Winsted, $28,595; and New Auburn, $13,255.
We assume the disparate amounts awarded each city is based either on population, square acreage or lineal feet of road.
And while we agree with Gruenhagen that this a good first step, more needs to be done.
A street is a street, regardless of whether it is in Biscay or Minneapolis. One would assume that the fixed costs of excavation, subsurface work and a top coat would be comparable for a street in either city.
There are those who contend that state aid for schools should be based on both student population and the fixed costs that come with each school district, regardless of enrollment. It costs the same to heat, cool, light and maintain a classroom of comparable size in every district, regardless of the number of students in the room.
The same could be same of our city roads and bridges. Should the aid be based in part upon population? Of course: a greater population equates to greater usage of the roads.
Should it also be based on fixed construction and maintenance costs. Again, of course: those costs will be similar for similar streets, regardless of the community in which they are located.
Hopefully, in 2016, the state Legislature will continue to build on its “first step.” All of the cities in Minnesota have needs, and they all deserve help, regardless of population.