Transportation Today reports…

U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) recently sent a letter to the Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, urging the rural infrastructure priorities to be included in the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success initiative.hu

Constituents have voiced the priorities as part of the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success initiative, the senators said.

Rural Minnesotans expressed five priorities.

More than 16 percent of rural Minnesotans lack access to high-speed internet, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. U.S. Department of Transportation policies help streamline broadband deployment and reduce the costs of building new broadband infrastructure.