Bachmann backs pair of Minnesota highway projects

Mar 19, 2013 Issues: Transportation
By John Croman 
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ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Rep. Michele Bachmann is putting her political weight behind two transportation projects that are top priorities for businesses and locally elected officials in the western part of Congressional district.
 
One project would widen Interstate 94 to six lanes between Maple Grove and St. Cloud, which would be done in multiple stages focusing on the most chronic bottlenecks between Highways 101 and 241.
 
The other project would replace several at-grade intersections along Highway 10 in the cities of Elk River and Ramsey with overpasses. Some of those overpass projects would also separate the intersecting streets from Burlington Northern train tracks that run parallel to Highway 10.
 
"What we're saying is we need to prioritize the current transportation dollars that we have, and re-purpose them where they're needed the most," Rep. Bachmann told reporters at a press conference near the Capitol in St. Paul.
 
"We happen to believe they're needed the most in adding a new lane on either side of 94 and on making Highway 10 safe."
 
Bachmann, in her appearance at the State Office Building, said that she's made sure both projects are on the radar screen for Pennsylvania Congressman Bill Shuster, the Republican who heads the House Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill.