MPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner signs off

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton today endorsed a plan for a new four lane bridge over the St. Croix River at Stillwater. Dayton toured the old lift bridge today at the invitation of Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Dayton commended Bachmann for her legislation that would override National Park Service objections to the proposed new bridge.  That  would clear the way for construction of a new bridge, but would not fund it.  A few weeks ago some environmental groups asked Dayton to reject plans for the new bridge, but the governor says it's necessary.

"It's not a project that satisfies everybody," he said. "It's very difficult to build major transportation projects by consensus, but the economics as well as the social vitality of this region as well as the safety of public transportation from one side of the river to the other all to me point to the need for another bridge, a new bridge."

Bachmann says she thinks her bill will pass in the House. It would need approval in the Senate as well, and Dayton stopped short of saying he would lobby Minnesota's senators to pass it.

Politics and Government News

Capitol View®

Mark Zdechlik

Author

Dayton says new four lane bridge should be built

Dayton backs Bachmann on new Stillwater bridge

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox