A Minnesota House panel has passed a two-year, $3.6 billion transportation funding package that includes tolling carpool lane drivers and privatizing rest areas, the Star Tribune reported.

The House Transportation Finance Committee voted 12-8 on April 16 to authorize more than one-third of the $3.6 billion for road construction – $635 million in 2004 and $685 million in 2005. In addition, the bill includes Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposal to provide an extra $1 billion for road improvements over the next five years.

The House bill gives the state Transportation Department the authority to collect tolls from solo commuters willing to pay a fee to use the carpool lanes on I-394 and I-35W.

To free up some money for road construction, Transportation Commissioner and Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau has proposed shutting down 44 rest areas, the newspaper reported. The House bill would give her broad authority to experiment with leasing the rest areas to private groups in an effort to keep them open.

The Senate is expected to introduce its own transportation bill by the end of the month.