In June 1970, the Department of Highways of the State of Minnesota contracted with North Star Research and Development Institute to undertake a study of "The Economic Impact of The Freeway System on the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area".
The economic impact of the freeway system on the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area is widespread and effects numerous aspects of the life of the citizens of the region. The ramifications of the freeway system extend into many aspects of our activities -- social and economic. Because the interrelationships between social and economic factors are complex and due to constraints on both time and resources, it was decided to isolate one particular aspect of the freeway system and study that in some detail. The economic impact was selected as the most fruitful to examine at this time. This report, therefore, relates only to the economic aspects of the impact of the Metropolitan Area freeway system.
The economic impact analysis covers six vital areas of the public and private economy that have been identified with freeway construction and use. These six areas are as follows:
1. Land Use Changes and Potential
2. Effects on Retail Trade
3. Effects on Residential Property Values
4. The Alteration of Property Tax Patterns
5. Economic Impact of the Freeway System on Industrial and Commercial Transportation
6. The General Economic Impact on the Community
