July 11, 2008

Wisconsin Legislators: Plan now for
a new Stillwater Bridge

State Capitol...On the heels of action by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to make a new Stillwater Bridge a Tier One funding priority, a bipartisan group of western Wisconsin legislators urged Wisconsin to follow suit. Minnesota is the lead on the new Stillwater Bridge construction project.

“Once we get past the tactics by groups to delay a long overdue new bridge, we need to be ready to act,” said State Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R – River Falls). “The need for a new bridge is ever apparent given the problems we see now – we simply cannot afford to wait.”

The St. Croix Bridge Alliance and Harsdorf with State Representatives Kitty Rhoades (R – Hudson), John Murtha (R – Baldwin) and Ann Hraychuck (D – Balsam Lake) have both urged the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) to make the necessary planning and funding decisions in anticipation of a 2013 construction start date.

“By all accounts, the existing bridge is antiquated, outdated, and potentially dangerous,” said Rep. Rhoades. “DOT needs to use its resources and commit funding to bring about a new bridge now.”

“Western Wisconsin is growing fast and the Regional Freeway System Study of our area confirms that,” said Rep. Murtha. “Not only do we need our roads to be safe, we need them to be able to handle this growth; a new Stillwater Bridge is critical.”

In June, Minnesota took steps to move up the planned construction of the new Stillwater Bridge from 2014 to 2013. As part of this commitment, Minnesota has approved the use of funds to cover their state’s obligation for this construction project.

“For the environment, our regional economy, and our safety, Wisconsin needs to reaffirm our state’s support for this vital project,” said Rep. Hraychuck.

Attached: July 8, 2008 letter to Wisconsin Department of Transportation