The transportation task force was created in 1997 to evaluate all transportation issues within the tri-state region. The group decided to focus on identifying highway priorities that would best serve the region and provide strategic economic advantages.
In 1998, the task force unanimously agreed on 1,519 miles of four-lane regional highway priorities. Two or three top road improvement projects were selected from each state. Priority maps were created and a delegation of six, two from each state, made presentations to elected officials and departments of transportation.
The regional task force has impacted decisions in all three states and made the tri-state of mind the center of four-lane highways in all directions.
One of the first major accomplishments was the completion of the Avenue of the Saints linking St. Paul Minnesota to St. Louis, Missouri. The second major triumph was the designation of the Chicago – Kansas City Expressway (CKC) which offers a less-congested alternate route to these popular Midwest destinations.
Over the years, the transportation task force has facilitated the completion of nearly 1,000 miles of four-lane highways in the tri-state region.
The task force is now working to put together a group to promote the CKC as well as the communities on the corridor. The benefits of the new highways will multiply if communities work together to promote the advantages as an efficient, free flowing transportation connection.
Priority maps from the Transportation Task Force are available as well as a live Google Earth depiction of the highway priorities.
Priority maps from the Transportation Task Force are available as well as a live Google Earth depiction of the highway priorities.
Download Google Earth.
Download the Tri-State Development Summit Highway Priorities to Google Earth (December 2011).
Visit our Maps & Data Page for more Transportation Task Force materials.