Bachmann’s St. Croix River Crossing Bill Passes Natural Resources Committee
The House Natural Resources Committee voted today and passed H.R. 850 out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 30-14. Sponsored by Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN-06), H.R. 850 facilitates a four-lane crossing over the St. Croix River between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Introduced March 1, 2011, this bill allows construction of a proposed crossing to move forward without further delay. The current crossing, the Stillwater Lift Bridge, celebrated its eightieth birthday this year and for decades has been handling more traffic volume then it was designed to accommodate.
The proposed four-lane river crossing enjoys bipartisan support from both Minnesota and Wisconsin’s governors and senators. Additionally, Congressmen Chip Cravaack (MN-08), Sean Duffy (WI-07) and Ron Kind (WI-03) have cosponsored H.R. 850. Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) has introduced similar legislation in the Senate.
"Today’s markup is a necessary step in the legislative process so that the St. Croix River Crossing bill can proceed to the full House of Representatives for a vote," said Bachmann. "The residents in Minnesota and Wisconsin who cross the St. Croix River at Stillwater need a bridge that is structurally dependable and can handle projected traffic volume for decades to come. My constituents are counting on Congress for action; otherwise, this project will remain at a standstill.
"In 1995 plans were presented for this project, but environmental lawsuits and bureaucratic delays have delayed the construction, unfortunately causing the costs to increase. Sixteen years later, construction must finally begin. We cannot delay this project further or costs will continue to rise and safety could be compromised as the current bridge continues to age. I urge the House and the Senate to consider their respective bills immediately."
Congressman Rob Bishop (UT-01) amended H.R. 850 in order to substitute mutually agreed-upon language that was determined by months of negotiations between the House and the Senate.
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Photo: The Natural Resources Committee Markups H.R. 850.
The proposed four-lane river crossing enjoys bipartisan support from both Minnesota and Wisconsin’s governors and senators. Additionally, Congressmen Chip Cravaack (MN-08), Sean Duffy (WI-07) and Ron Kind (WI-03) have cosponsored H.R. 850. Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) has introduced similar legislation in the Senate.
"Today’s markup is a necessary step in the legislative process so that the St. Croix River Crossing bill can proceed to the full House of Representatives for a vote," said Bachmann. "The residents in Minnesota and Wisconsin who cross the St. Croix River at Stillwater need a bridge that is structurally dependable and can handle projected traffic volume for decades to come. My constituents are counting on Congress for action; otherwise, this project will remain at a standstill.
"In 1995 plans were presented for this project, but environmental lawsuits and bureaucratic delays have delayed the construction, unfortunately causing the costs to increase. Sixteen years later, construction must finally begin. We cannot delay this project further or costs will continue to rise and safety could be compromised as the current bridge continues to age. I urge the House and the Senate to consider their respective bills immediately."
Congressman Rob Bishop (UT-01) amended H.R. 850 in order to substitute mutually agreed-upon language that was determined by months of negotiations between the House and the Senate.
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Photo: The Natural Resources Committee Markups H.R. 850.
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