Minnesota’s transportation funding gap has increased by $3.8 billion, according to a report released by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) on Nov. 5.

Experts developing the Minnesota State Highway Investment Plan determined the state’s transportation funding shortfall will be $16.3 billion over the next 20 years, starting in 2018. The previous plan, which examined the 2014-2033 period, reported a transportation funding gap of $12.5 billion.

MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle cited several contributing factors as the reason for the increasing shortfall, including legislative inaction, aging and deteriorating transportation infrastructure, inflation, and an improved ability for the department to identify system needs and collect data.

“Minnesota’s infrastructure will continue to deteriorate without a significant infusion of resources to address critical needs,” Zelle said. “There is strong, bipartisan agreement that something must be done to improve transportation funding. It’s up to the Legislature to determine that solution, and soon.”