Ten Finalists for 'Worst Road in Minnesota' Announced

Minnesotans Encouraged to Vote for Their Choice at www.VoteYesMN.org

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 19 -- More than 3,000 Minnesotans cast their votes for the Highway Construction Industry Council's 'Worst Road in Minnesota' contest at the VOTE YES State Fair booth, sponsored by Minnesotans for Better Roads and Transit (MBRT). The contest has now been narrowed to the top 10 finalists, which are posted at www.VoteYesMN.org. Minnesotans are encouraged to cast their final votes to determine the winner of this dubious title. The deadline for voting is Tuesday, September 26 at 11:59 p.m.

"The overwhelming response to this contest is evidence of how frustrated Minnesotans are with our current transportation system. Participants listed thousands of deteriorating, congested and unsafe roads in every corner of the state that need to be fixed," said Rick Krueger, vice president of MBRT and executive director of the Minnesota Transportation Alliance. "Fortunately, Minnesotans have a chance to improve transportation throughout the state by voting 'YES' for Minnesota's Transportation Amendment on Election Day."

  Finalists for the title of "Worst Road in Minnesota" include:

   * US 14 (Rochester to New Ulm)
   * Crosstown (35W and 62)
   * Highway 169 (Garrison to Onamia)
   * Highway 65 (Anoka County)
   * Highway 23 (Marshall to St. Cloud)
   * All of Interstate 494
   * Highway 53 (Virginia to International Falls)
   * Highway 61 Bridge in Hastings
   * Highway 8 (Chisago)
   * Highway 7 (Metro Area)

To vote for the 'Worst Road in Minnesota,' visit www.VoteYesMN.org and click on the 'Worst Roads' icon. The winner of the 'Worst Road' title will be announced the week of September 25, 2006.

If approved by voters, Minnesota's Transportation Amendment will dedicate 100 percent of the revenue from the existing motor vehicle sales tax to transportation. Currently, only 54 percent of the existing motor vehicle sales tax funds transportation. When the five-year phase-in of the remaining 46 percent is complete in 2011, it will add $300 million in new revenue for roads and transit every year.

MBRT is the largest and most diverse coalition to advocate on behalf of a constitutional amendment in Minnesota. The nearly 1,000 member organizations and supporters represent agriculture and rural interests, highway construction, transit, local governments, environmental protection, organized labor, nonprofits and business. For more information about Minnesota's Transportation Amendment and Minnesotans for Better Roads and Transit, visit www.VoteYesMN.org.