MnDOT is dedicated to maximize the useful life of transportation assets while considering system performance, costs and impacts to the state’s economy, environment and quality of life. Capital, operations and maintenance decisions should be made using a risk-based asset management approach. This approach strives to maximize the useful life and minimize the life-cycle cost of all transportation assets. It also considers impacts to the state’s economy, environment and quality of life. The timing of fixes and asset replacement can and should be influenced by economic, environmental and quality of life factors. Considering these factors as part of asset management decision-making allows the system to change so it can address present and future needs.