Tom Warne Report, 31 August 2012
MINNEAPOLIS – A project to build a new bridge across the St. Croix River has been accepted by the Oak Park Heights City Council, clearing the final obstacle in the state’s controversial plans to rebuild the Highway 36 corridor leading to the new span. Without the approval, which came with a 4-1 vote, the Minnesota Department of Transportation could not move forward with the highway reconstruction and the project would be delayed indefinitely. The project has been in negotiations for two decades will begin construction by May 1.
MnDOT says the bridge project could cost up to $676 million, will include new highways leading up to the crossing on both sides of the river and countless environmental and historic protections. The Oak Park Heights section involves extensively reconstructing Hwy. 36 along with frontage roads in the city and relocating or replacing underground utilities.
The five-member council looked at three possible resolutions, but voted on only one plan which is dependent upon Gov. Mark Dayton’s promise to find an additional $1.5 million for the city, to reduce costs for residents. The Oak Park Heights City has about 4,300 residents, with homes and businesses on both sides of Hwy. 36 and utilities that are more than 40 years old.
The lone dissenting vote came from Mayor David Beaudet who, after several failed attempts to modify the agreement with MnDOT, delivered an impassioned condemnation of the new span. He said the city had not discussed issues including guardrails, sound walls and emergency services, and that Oak Park Heights’ residents would not be served by the bridge. He said instead, the bridge would create a regional highway with heavy congestion.