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Paulsen, Kline Urge Transportation Secretary to Support Action on 494/169 Interchange

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and John Kline (R-MN) today sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood requesting his assistance in seeking a solution that would allow the long-sought Highway 169/Interstate 494 interchange project to move forward.  Funding for the project, which is eligible to receive federal stimulus dollars, is in jeopardy because of differing proposals from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). 
 
“The 494/169 interchange project is one of the top transportation priorities not only in the 3rd District, but in the entire metro area.  It is important that this project moves forward quickly and in the most efficient manner possible,” said Paulsen. “I am proud to join Congressman Kline in supporting a plan that will provide maximum improvements to both traffic flow and travel time, while also freeing up additional federal dollars and lowering risk for taxpayers. I am hopeful Secretary LaHood will join us in seeking a solution to ensure this important projects goes forward.”
 
“The 494/169 interchange is a transportation lifeline to the entire Twin Cities metro area, and the federal government should give MnDOT the flexibility it needs to move forward with this project in a safe but timely manner,” Congressman Kline said. “The plan Congressman Paulsen and I support would protect taxpayers by maximizing the use of federal transportation dollars and allow Minnesota’s transportation experts – MnDOT – to implement this two-phased initiative.”
 
MnDOT has proposed a “two-phased” construction approach that the FHWA has thus far been unwilling to fully support. Paulsen and Kline’s letter notes that MnDOT’s approach would lessen residual risk, make best use of federal transportation dollars, and maximize improvement to traffic flow and travel time for both roadways.  The Federal Highway Administration would require continuous construction from 2009 to 2016, while also using all available federal transportation dollars approved as part of the stimulus bill. 
 
“We believe that if the Washington, DC FHWA view prevails, the project will not qualify and it will not be able to move forward,” the letter concluded. 
Secretary LaHood Letter (03/26/09 07:20 AM PST)