Minnesota transportation officials met with interested companies this month to discuss how to proceed with a toll-lane program in the Twin Cities area.

The toll lanes would be paid for by road users, according to local media. When construction costs are recovered, the lanes would revert to state ownership.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has already outlined an ambitious schedule for moving forward that includes a formal request for proposals from the private sector within the next four to six weeks and new construction by 2005. That prospect concerns some lawmakers who worry the department is operating with no oversight from the Legislature or public.

Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, told Minnesota Public Radio toll lane projects that attract private investors will not necessarily be those that serve the state’s overall transportation needs.

“MnDOT is a big agency. And it’s accountable to the larger public, and we represent the larger public. And we’re just looking for an opportunity for the public to come in and have a conversation,” Dibble said. “It’s the traveling public; it’s the region; it’s everyone that has a stake in a major decision like this.”

Dibble has introduced legislation that would require MnDOT include its toll proposals as part of the debate of an overall transportation plan for the state. The legislation – SF2397 – would also restrict “non-compete” clauses. Dibble said that in other states, the private contractors who build and manage the toll lanes have been assured than no other roadways or transit alternatives would be built that might compete with the private toll lane for ridership.

The proposal would also establish a legislative review process.