What They Are Saying: Today’s Updates on the St. Croix River Crossing Project

After decades of debate, the St. Croix River Crossing Project is set to cross the finish line. Tomorrow, this long-awaited project will be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan project has received the support of both the Minnesota and Wisconsin governors, the states’ four senators and many representatives from Minnesota and Wisconsin. Below are articles that highlight the vital importance of approving the St. Croix Crossing Project when it comes before the House of Representatives tomorrow for a vote:

KARE 11: Majority of Minnesota lawmakers support St. Croix Bridge project 
STILLWATER, Minn. -  Let's start with what most everyone agrees on no matter their party: the 80-year-old Stillwater Lift Bridge has done its job and it is time for an upgrade.
"You look at the bridge and you see it is in need of repair, it's not going to last forever. Simply, its time it gets replaced," Stillwater Mayor Ken Harycki said Tuesday night.
For 20 years, folks have been trying to get that done to no avail. But now, it just might happen… Click here to read more.

Roll Call: Walker and Dayton: House Should OK Bridge Measure
Looking inside the Capitol, we’re noticing three themes that are similar to what we’re experiencing inside our own state capitols in Minnesota and Wisconsin: Bipartisanship can sometimes be challenging, money is being more cautiously allocated and creating jobs is a priority. That’s why S. 1134, the St. Croix River Crossing Project, which allows for the replacement of a deteriorating, 80-year-old lift bridge connecting Stillwater, Minn., and Houlton, Wis., with a new bridge, is such great legislation — it’s completely bipartisan, doesn’t require any additional federal government spending and would create thousands of jobs. Such legislation might seem too good to be true, but it’s not… Click here to read more.

Star Tribune: Editorial: Support the St. Croix River bridge project
As early as this week, the U.S. House of Representatives may expedite a vote on a proposed four-lane bridge to be built across the St. Croix River, linking Minnesota and Wisconsin just south of Stillwater.As we have said before, this thoroughly vetted project is the best option for both states and is sorely needed to replace the aging lift bridge in downtown Stillwater.
Congressional authorization for the bridge is required because the river is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Last month, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar secured unanimous consent from the U.S. Senate for a bill that enables the bridge to be built. We urge the House to also support this much-debated project, which more than two dozen key stakeholders agreed was the best solution for Minnesota and Wisconsin… Click here to read more.

Pioneer Press: Stillwater Bridge vote in US House coming up Thursday 
Rep. Michele Bachmann said Tuesday that U.S. House leaders will debate the St. Croix River bridge bill today and take it up for a vote Thursday. "It was like Moses parting the waters in order to get this done," Bachmann said in a phone call Tuesday afternoon. "It's a miracle. It really is." Bachmann said House leadership was "absolutely behind" the bill that would exempt the project from the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, a necessary requirement for the bridge to move forward. "This has been my main issue for the district in the last six years, and now we really have a magic moment of having a lot of motivation on both sides (of the aisle)," she said. "I'm extremely pleased House leadership was willing to take this up." … Click here to read more.

MPR News: Primer: St. Croix River bridge
After more than a decade of bitter politics and litigation, Congress is close to a vote authorizing a new St. Croix River bridge to replace the aging span in Stillwater. What's the problem? The 80-year-old Stillwater Lift Bridge has served as a vital connection across the St. Croix River. But now it's a choke point. When the Lift Bridge rises to let boat traffic pass on the river, cars back up into downtown Stillwater and up Minnesota 36, creating all kinds of traffic congestion and hazards. Congestion crashes occur at twice the rate of a similar segment of roadway, the Minnesota Department of Transportation says. It's a problem that's worsened the past 20 years and that promises only to get worse. Towns across the bridge in St. Croix County, Wis., have grown dramatically and the county's population is expected to double over the next 20 years. Why is Congress involved in building a St. Croix River Bridge? … Click here to read more.