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Klobuchar Meets with Winona Leaders about Hwy. 43 Bridge Closing

Will look into federal aid for affected local businesses

June 6, 2008

Winona, Minn.  – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar traveled to Winona this afternoon to meet with community leaders about this week’s closing of the Highway 43 bridge across the Mississippi River.  U.S. Representatives Jim Oberstar and Tim Walz also joined in the meeting.

“Public safety is paramount, so it’s better to close a bridge, if necessary, than to let something bad happen,” said Klobuchar. “But the sudden closing of this bridge obviously has a major impact on both sides of the river, especially for commuters and businesses.”

The Minnesota Department of Transportation shut down the Highway 43 bridge on Tuesday, after an inspection discovered rusty and corroded gusset plates.  The inspection was finished Thursday and a repair plan will be announced by June 14.

The nearest alternative bridges are 30 miles away – Wabasha to the north and La Crosse to the south.

Winona officials told Klobuchar that they will begin a bus and ferry service on Monday to get commuters across the river. 

In addition to state resources, Klobuchar said she would work to determine whether the City of Winona or local businesses might be eligible for any federal assistance, whether from the U.S. Department of Transportation or the Small Business Administration.

“This is the only bridge along a 60 mile stretch of the Mississippi River,” said Klobuchar.  “Some 12,000 commuters cross the bridge every day.  In the Twin Cities, people have seen what a major inconvenience it is to re-route traffic a few miles because of the I-35W bridge.  But in this case, it’s matter of re-routing traffic 60 miles or more.  With gas prices at a record high, this could not have come at a worse time.”

Klobuchar added:  “This reminds us how much we depend on and trust our nation’s system of highways and bridges.  But the abrupt closing is one more sign that America’s infrastructure needs have been neglected.”

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