The Wisconsin State Legislature The Minnesota State Legislature
November 8, 2011
Dear Members of the Minnesota and Wisconsin Congressional Delegations,
We are writing to express our strong opposition to H.R. 850 (Bachmann) that clears the way for
construction of a bridge between Stillwater, Minnesota and the area north of Hudson, Wisconsin.
The bridge could cost almost $700 million. As things currently stand, Minnesota will be forced
to divert $160 million of its federal allocation and up to $220 million of state highway and bridge
funding. Wisconsin will also need to utilize general fund resources, competing directly with
education, healthcare and other priorities and has yet to identify the source of additional funds
needed to cover the difference between its presently authorized funds and the minimum
estimated amount of its share of the bridge. As legislators on both sides of the St. Croix River we
are united in our concerns that the current design of the bridge is far too expensive, particularly
in light of much more cost-effective alternatives. In choosing the most expensive option, H.R.
850 further constrains our states’ already limited resources for critical bridge repairs and road
safety projects.
The bridge envisioned in H.R. 850 is just six miles north of the existing eight lane Interstate 94
bridge connecting Afton, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin. Much more fiscally responsible
alternative designs exist, and those savings could be invested in the many road and bridge safety
improvement projects languishing all across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Furthermore, the
alternative plan significantly reduces noise and air pollution and protects the environmental and
recreational integrity of the Lower St. Croix River.
National organizations including Taxpayers for Common Sense have stated their opposition to
the interstate-style bridge design that is earmarked in H.R. 850.
The I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis shocked our region and our nation into taking the
safety of our bridges and condition of our transportation infrastructure seriously. A recent study,
issued by Transportation for America titled “The Fix We’re In For: The State of the Nation’s
Bridges” shows there are more than 1,142 deficient bridges in Wisconsin, 8.2% of the state’s
bridges, carrying almost 3.5 million people per day. According to the study there are 1,149, or
8.8% of bridges, that are deficient in Minnesota.
We urge you to reject the wasteful and ill-conceived H.R. 850, and work with the communities
and leaders of Minnesota and Wisconsin to help build the bridge that is actually needed, and free
necessary resources to help address our respective states’ serious and growing infrastructure
safety needs.
Sincerely,
Rep. Frank Hornstein Rep. Brett Hulsey Sen. D. Scott Dibble
Minneapolis, Minnesota Madison, Wisconsin Minneapolis, Minnesota
Rep. Terese Berceau Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber Rep. Bobby Joe Champion
Madison, Wisconsin Appleton, Wisconsin Minneapolis, Minnesota
Rep. Chris Danou Sen. Chris Eaton Rep. Andrew Falk
Trempealeau, Wisconsin Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Murdock, Minnesota
Rep. Kerry Gauthier Rep. Mindy Greiling Rep. Alice Hausman
Duluth, Minnesota Roseville, Minnesota St. Paul, Minnesota
Sen. Jeff Hayden Sen. Linda Higgins Rep. Bill Hilty
Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota Finlayson, Minnesota
Rep. Sheldon Johnson Rep. Phyllis Kahn Rep. Carlos Mariani
St. Paul, Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota St. Paul, Minnesota
Sen. John Marty Sen. Mary Jo McGuire Rep. Nick Milroy
Roseville, Minnesota Falcon Heights, Minnesota South Range, Wisconsin
Rep. Joe Mullery Rep. Erin Murphy Rep. Kim Norton
Minneapolis, Minnesota St. Paul, Minnesota Rochester, Minnesota
Sen. Sandra L. Pappas Rep. Kelda Roys Rep. Bev Scalze
St. Paul, Minnesota Madison, Wisconsin Little Canada, Minnesota
Rep. Linda Slocum Rep. Chris Taylor Rep. Ryan Winkler
Richfield, Minnesota Madison, Wisconsin Golden Valley, Minnesota
cc: Governor Mark Dayton
Governor Scott Walker