Minnesota Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau has proposed that the state spend less on highway services and amenities in favor of spending more to build new roads, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported recently.

Among the cuts proposed by Molnau, who also heads the Minnesota Department of Transportation, are:

• Cutting 295 department workers, which the newspaper said would slow snow removal.
• Closing about 45 rest areas, including all those not on interstates, and four to six on interstates.
• Remarking highway shoulders less often.

The plan would save $84 million. It was presented last week to the House Transportation Finance Committee.