Document 91jLMgevZrOj0oJp7geE9oN7D

Jon Koznick iL State Representative Chair Transportation Finance and Policy Dakota and Scott Counties Minnesota House of Representatives March 24, 2025 Representative Jon Koznick, Chair House Transportation Finance and Policy Minnesota House of Representatives 658 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55155 The Honorable Sean Duffy, Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington D.C. 20590 Dear Secretary Duffy, Minnesota is excited to congratulate you on being appointed as the Secretary of Transportation and is eager to partner with you to ensure transportation needs are met, by focusing on fundingthe modes of transportation Americans and Minnesotans use most. We write to bring four projects with financial concerns to your attention. Federal funding should be closely scrutinized and eliminated. Northern_lightsExareas (NLX) commuter line from Duluth to St. Paul -- This line is in the planning stage. A previous legislature allocated $194.7 million hoping for federal grants to build out the NLX line. We have the strongest concerns about ridership and state cost, as we face a projected $6 Billion state deficit. Without Federal grants this project will cease, and we will more responsibly repurpose the state's $194.7 million set aside to meet other transportation needs and general fund deficit concerns. Northstar Commuter Rail - Big Lake to Target Center in Minneapolis. I previously wrote to inform you of our state's intention to decommission this line due to low ridership, high operation subsidies and high maintenance cost. We are asking for a waiver of any federal obligations to end NorthStar and allow us to redirect funds more efficiently. Blue Line LightRaiLTransitExten_slom - Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park LRT. There is significant concern that this $4 billion line will be over budget and another boondoggle with minimal ridership and huge capital, operating and maintenance costs. We believe the area could be equally served with less expensive Bus Rapid Transit or Express Bus. Federal funds for LRT will cause Minnesota to invest more funds than necessary, opposed to other less expensive options. " Centennial Office Building, 658 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55O1S5T5-2025-1200 Page 02100 Email: rep.jon.koznick@house.mn.gov Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 (651) 296-6926 SC_EVERSPLIT0027981 Jon Koznick State Representative Chair Transportation Finance and Policy Dakota and Scott Counties Minnesota House of Representatives Interstate 94 LandBsidge and 194 Greenw_ay - St. Paul. We need to keep Interstate 94 between St. Paul and Minneapolis open to move people and commerce. Turning it into a greenway, boulevard or anything other than the interstate freeway would seriously impair interstate commerce and traffic patterns in the area. There are capital cost and maintenance concerns with adding a Land Bridge in the Rondo area. Secretary Duffy, I greatly appreciate your attention and the federal government's assistance in helping to absolve the Northstar Commuter Rail obligations and prohibiting other boondoggles that generate additional waste for Minnesota taxpayers. My office and colleagues remain available to assist you. Sincerely, Representative Jon Koznick, Chair House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee Minnesota House of Representatives \.4.50t n'bermeJil Representative Lisa Demuth Speaker of the House Minnesota House of Representatives Representative Harry Niska GOP Floor Leader Minnesota House of Representatives ". Centennial Office Building. 658 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55O1S55T-2025-1200 Page 02101 tist Email: rep.jon.koznick@house.mn.gov Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 (651) 296-6926 SC_EVERSPLIT0027982