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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 forcedto divert $160 million of its federal allocation and up to $220 million of state highway and bridgefunding. Wisconsin will also need to utilize general fund resources, competing directly witheducation, healthcare and other priorities and has yet to identify the source of additional fundsneeded to cover the difference between its presently authorized funds and the minimumestimated amount of its share of the bridge. As legislators on both sides of the St. Croix River weare united in our concerns that the current design of the bridge is far too expensive, particularlyin 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 roadsafety projects.

The bridge envisioned in H.R. 850 is just six miles north of the existing eight lane Interstate 94bridge connecting Afton, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin. Much more fiscally responsiblealternative designs exist, and those savings could be invested in the many road and bridge safetyimprovement projects languishing all across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Furthermore, thealternative plan significantly reduces noise and air pollution and protects the environmental andrecreational integrity of the Lower St. Croix River.

National organizations including Taxpayers for Common Sense have stated their opposition tothe 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 thesafety of our bridges and condition of our transportation infrastructure seriously. A recent study,issued by Transportation for America titled The Fix Were In For: The State of the Nations

Bridges shows there are more than 1,142 deficient bridges in Wisconsin, 8.2% of the states

bridges, carrying almost 3.5 million people per day. According to the study there are 1,149, or8.8% of bridges, that are deficient in Minnesota.

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We urge you to reject the wasteful and ill-conceived H.R. 850, and work with the communitiesand leaders of Minnesota and Wisconsin to help build the bridge that is actually needed, and freenecessary resources to help address our respective states serious and growing infrastructuresafety needs.

Sincerely,

Rep. Frank Hornstein Rep. Brett Hulsey Sen. D. Scott DibbleMinneapolis, Minnesota Madison, Wisconsin Minneapolis, Minnesota

Rep. Terese Berceau Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber Rep. Bobby Joe ChampionMadison, Wisconsin Appleton, Wisconsin Minneapolis, Minnesota

Rep. Chris Danou Sen. Chris Eaton Rep. Andrew FalkTrempealeau, Wisconsin Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Murdock, Minnesota

Rep. Kerry Gauthier Rep. Mindy Greiling Rep. Alice HausmanDuluth, Minnesota Roseville, Minnesota St. Paul, Minnesota

Sen. Jeff Hayden Sen. Linda Higgins Rep. Bill HiltyMinneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota Finlayson, Minnesota

Rep. Sheldon Johnson Rep. Phyllis Kahn Rep. Carlos MarianiSt. Paul, Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota St. Paul, Minnesota

Sen. John Marty Sen. Mary Jo McGuire Rep. Nick MilroyRoseville, Minnesota Falcon Heights, Minnesota South Range, Wisconsin

Rep. Joe Mullery Rep. Erin Murphy Rep. Kim NortonMinneapolis, Minnesota St. Paul, Minnesota Rochester, Minnesota

Sen. Sandra L. Pappas Rep. Kelda Roys Rep. Bev ScalzeSt. Paul, Minnesota Madison, Wisconsin Little Canada, Minnesota

Rep. Linda Slocum Rep. Chris Taylor Rep. Ryan WinklerRichfield, Minnesota Madison, Wisconsin Golden Valley, Minnesota

cc: Governor Mark DaytonGovernor Scott Walker