The Minnesota Highway Justice Act would create a nation leading law to protect communities impacted by highways.

Urban highways harm our communities:

Urban highway projects have a storied history rooted in systemic racism that continues to harm Twin Cities communities today, dividing and polluting minority and low-income neighborhoods at disproportionate rates.

Freeways were routed through communities of color, despite community objections. Thousands of homes, businesses were demolished with little compensation in neighborhoods like Rondo, Cedar Riverside and North Minneapolis. Living near highways increased risk of severe health impacts, including asthma, dementia, cancer, and stunted lung growth. Transportation is also the biggest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota.

Currently, there are few protections in Minnesota law that require the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to prioritize public health and environmental justice when planning major highway projects. Residents and their local elected officials have little say over the project outcome. This has consistently resulted in harmful projects that aren’t supported by the people who will be most impacted. Costly highway expansions also use up funding that could support long-needed improvements to public transit.

Minnesota legislators are considering legislation to reform how major highway projects are approved and funded.

The Highway Justice Act would:

1. Prevent MnDOT from further polluting our communities. The Highway Justice Act would add new community protections, requiring MnDOT to conduct a comprehensive review of the total past, present, and future impacts on a community when planning a major highway project
2. Increase available funding for transit, walking and biking without raising taxes. The Highway Justice Act would also clarify Minnesota law to allow trunk highway dollars to be spent on transit, walking and biking infrastructure. This change would help advance a transportation system that works for Minnesotans of every race, age, ability, and income. The Highway Justice Act would reduce traffic congestion, make it easier to get around without a car, and help working people save money, all while reducing harmful emissions.
3. Give you a meaningful voice over highway projects that impact your life. The Highway Justice Act would reform how major highways are approved to strengthen the power of impacted community members and their elected officials. This law will help to ensure that transportation projects benefit, not harm, the communities that they are routed through.

Take action by contacting your legislators today!