With Sustainable Connections 2050 we are updating the long-range MetropolitanTransportation Plan (MTP) for the greater Duluth, Minnesota-Superior, Wisconsin, area. The MTP presents a long-range (25 year) strategy to guide the effective investment of public funds for multi-modal transportation infrastructure throughout the Duluth-Superior area. It is updated every five years in accordance with federal and state requirements, and reflects local planning initiatives and incorporates public input.
Sustainable Connections 2050 also provides the foundation for the annual development of the Duluth and Superior Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs), short-range capital improvement programs that implement some of the needed highway, transit and bikeway projects identified in the project lists, as well as for the MIC’s annual work program activities. Topics that Sustainable Connections 2050 will address include:
• Transportation priorities, goals and objectives for the Duluth-Superior area
• Adjustments to population, employment and travel data based on 2020 Census
• Update of the MIC’s area urban boundary and functional classification changes
• Safety, efficiency and connectivity of the multimodal transportation network
• Technology acquisition and partnership strategy in support of performance-based planning
• Proposed system improvements
• Possible short-, mid- and long-range transportation projects
• Financial analysis demonstrating fiscal constraint
• Public involvement process for developing the 2050 LRTP
Key Issues
Looking ahead 25 years, here are some of the main issues we’ll be facing:
• There’s a Lot of Infrastructure: Our transportation system includes all the roads, sidewalks and pedestrian paths, bikeways, railroads, shipping channels and port facilities, airports, transit facilities, bridges; traffic lights and signs, as well as maintenance equipment, safety systems and more, that support the movement of people and goods.
• It’s Getting More Expensive: The costs of building and maintaining transportation infrastructure are rising every year. Between 2003 and 2016 construction costs nationally have grown by 68%.
• Funding Shortfalls are Projected: Revenue levels have been decreasing, costs have been increasing, and the Twin Ports is projected to have more than $1 Billion in unfunded maintenance projects by 2050.
• Our Population is Not Growing: The number of people who live in the Duluth-Superior area has not increased for approximately 40 years—which means the per-person tax burden to pay for our infrastructure is increasing.
• We’re Getting Older: In 2010 over 25% of the MIC area was 55 years of age and older, that is projected to increase to 37.5% by 2040. This has significant impacts on our tax revenues as well as the transportation needs of our community members.
• Many of Us Don’t Drive, or are Seeking Alternatives: A significant number of people who live here don’t own vehicles (up to 39% of households in some neighborhoods); many others are too young, too old, or unable to drive (and still have places to go); and a growing number of people are seeking alternatives to driving (for reasons of lifestyle, health, finances or environmental impact).
MTP-Intro_MIC_06-21-2023.pdf