[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 33 (Thursday, March 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ST. CROIX RIVER CROSSING PROJECT AUTHORIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 29, 2012

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today the U.S. House of Representatives 
passed the St. Croix River Crossing Project Authorization Act (S. 1134) 
by a vote of 339 to 80. Originally spearheaded by Congresswoman 
Bachmann (MN 06), S. 1134 authorizes construction of a $700 million 
mega-bridge over the protected St. Croix River between Minnesota and 
Wisconsin, benefiting only 18,000 cars per day.
  Every policy debate has two sides and I worked hard to reflect the 
voices of Minnesotans in the Fourth District, as well as those 
Stillwater and Oak Park Heights residents who are deeply concerned 
about this mega-bridge project.
  Congress' passage of this $700 million bridge bill doesn't diminish 
its excessive cost, size, negative effect on Highway 36 traffic 
congestion, or its adverse impact on the St. Croix River.
  Supporters of this legislation, including Senators Klobuchar and 
Franken, and Governor Dayton, assume responsibility for protecting 
communities along Highway 36 from crippling traffic congestion and the 
families and businesses of Oak Park Heights from property tax 
increases--the direct consequences of the project they so strongly 
championed.
  I want to thank my friend and Minnesota colleague, Representative 
Keith Ellison (MN 05) for his eloquence on the floor of the House in 
opposition to S. 1134. I share Congressman Ellison's concern that 
replacing one bridge at a cost of $700 million to the exclusion of more 
than 1,100 other structurally deficient bridges in Minnesota places too 
many communities and motorists at risk. I am committed to working with 
Representative Ellison, Governor Dayton and all Minnesota members of 
Congress and state legislators to repair or replace these substandard 
bridges.

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