Manufacturers’ Perspectives on Minnesota’s Transportation System: A Pilot Study in Southwest and West Central Minnesota

One of MnDOT’s most important customer segments are Minnesota-based manufacturers that ship their products over Minnesota roads and bridges en route to local, statewide, national and international markets. These businesses rely on the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to maintain a safe, efficient multi-modal infrastructure for freight transportation. State, regional and local governments rely on these businesses to employ residents and contribute to economic vitality. In short, economic vitality results when economic development and transportation systems are well aligned.

In 2013, MnDOT initiated a project in its District 8 region (twelve counties in southwest and west central Minnesota) to better understand freight customers’ transportation priorities and challenges, and to incorporate their input into MnDOT’s planning and project development. Better understanding these customers’ business and transportation needs will enable MnDOT to better align its work to support their success and, by extension, the economic vitality of the region and state.