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I-35W Bridge Reconstruction Funds Included in Omnibus Bill

Bill also includes $100 million for national convention security requirements

December 17, 2007

Washington D.C. — Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) were successful in including $195 million in funding for I-35W bridge reconstruction in the fiscal year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which provides federal spending for 15 Cabinet agencies including the Department of Transportation. Today’s appropriation brings the total federal funds for bridge reconstruction to $373 million.

Immediately following the bridge collapse, the Minnesota Senators secured passage of an authorization for emergency assistance to expedite funding and waive the current cap on federal Emergency Fund (ER) dollars, and since then the Department of Transportation has released more than $178 million in funds for reconstruction. The Omnibus bill including the remaining $195 million is expected to be taken up in the House and Senate this week before being sent to the President for his signature into law. 

“With reconstruction of the 35W bridge already under way, today’s Congressional appropriation reaffirms the federal promise to provide the funding needed for rebuilding,” said Klobuchar.  “This bridge is absolutely vital to our state and our economy.  My own home, and the new location of my metro area office, are only a few blocks from the bridge, so I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact of its sudden absence.  Minnesotans look forward to being able to drive across a new 35W bridge, and this Congressional appropriation gets us closer to that reality.

“In the wake of this terrible tragedy, elected leaders at all levels of government made a commitment to work together to provide the funding essential for recovery and rebuilding.  Today we are another step closer to making good on that promise,” said Coleman.  “As one of the most traveled corridors in the state, a safe and rapid reconstruction of I-35W is absolutely imperative to restoring the Twin Cities’ transportation infrastructure.  This funding will allow for a newer, safer and less congested bridge to be built as soon as possible.”

Klobuchar and Coleman also secured passage of $100 million for the cities of St. Paul, Minnesota and Denver, Colorado to assist in the security planning of the national conventions. 

“The eyes of the nation will be on Minnesota next summer as the Republican National Convention convenes in our state,” said Klobuchar.  “Although we in Minnesota are proud to host this gathering, it is fundamentally a national, not local, event.  For that reason, it’s essential to have this federal funding to support our local first responders and ensure the safety of both the people of Minnesota and our Republican guests.”

“I have full faith in the abilities of local police municipalities, but it is critical that the Twin Cities have federal assistance for managing security at an event of this magnitude,” said Coleman.  “The security requirements associated with an event of this nature and size would otherwise be, essentially, an unfunded mandate. I am thrilled to see this funding move forward, as protecting our nation’s cities and citizens should always be the government’s top priority.”

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