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State Representative Jim Davnie
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0173
For more information contact: Charlene Briner 651-296-5809
Press/News Releases
STATE REP. DAVNIE ISSUES SUPPORTS MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL'S STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES ON BRIDGE REBUILD
State Representative Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis) has thrown his support behind the statement of principles drafted by the Minneapolis City Council regarding the process to rebuild and replace the collapsed I – 35W bridge.
"I believe the Council has acted responsibly in drafting a broad set of principles that focuses not only on the immediate need to replace the bridge, but on future transportation needs," said Davnie. "During the rebuilding process it's going to be important for local, state and federal officials to keep working cooperatively together, and part of that cooperation will be clear communication with each other. This statement makes the position of the city very clear as we move forward."
The principles call for improved vehicle capacity, as well as options for future transit improvements, including light rail and bus rapid transit. The city's role in rebuilding is ciritical because state law requires municipal consent for Minnesota Department of Transportation to begin construction. Once palns are submitted, the city could confer consent quickly, move slowly or withhold consent, slowing the project the state has signaled it wants to complete by the end of 2008.
"The conversation in Minnesota and the nation about infrastructure and transportation has been indelibly changed," said Davnie. "It would be irresponsible to embrace shortsighted solutions in the name of expediency that don't fully consider long-term infrastructure needs of the region and state."
A copy of the City Council statement can be viewed below.
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For audio on this topic, please contact Catherine Thompson, Radio/Television Coordinator at catherine.thompson@house.mn or (651) 296-5499.
Minneapolis City Council
Statement of Principles
By Colvin Roy, Glidden, Hodges, Ostrow, Gordon, Hofstede, Johnson,
Samuels, Lilligren, Goodman, Schiff, Remington, and Benson
REBUILDING THE I-35W BRIDGE
Interstate 35W is a crucial transportation artery for the Minneapolis – Saint Paul region and the State of Minnesota. It is vital that we rebuild a safe bridge in an orderly and efficient way. We need to do that as expeditiously as is reasonable, but most importantly, we need to do it right.
We believe:
· That the new I-35W Bridge should be designed and built to meet present and future transportation needs;
· That the new bridge should be designed to improve vehicle capacity and also provide transit capacity;
· That the new bridge design should incorporate, and certainly not preclude options for future transit improvements, such as making the new bridge structure LRT ready and BRT ready;
· That we should work together to support and identify funding to address other transportation needs to ensure that the new bridge functions efficiently once it is built; and
· That the bridge should be built to meet all current environmental standards.
· That the Minnesota Department of Transportation should set equal opportunity employment goals for minorities and women equal to or above the current City of Minneapolis’ goals.
· That the new fifth lanes on the bridge should be dedicated for transit and high occupancy vehicles (HOV).
In recognition of the individuals who were lost in the I-35W bridge collapse, a memorial should be created.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation should provide accurate and timely information to the public and seek out and consider community input into the design and construction process.
COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE
In addition to the I-35W Bridge, we also see an opportunity to dramatically improve the overall infrastructure of the corridor and to safely accommodate future transportation and transit needs. We are committed to avoiding shortsighted solutions that will quickly replace the bridge, but may not give adequate consideration to the long-term infrastructure needs of the region and state.
Prudent and orderly planning is necessary on the front end, and can be done in a way so not to jeopardize eligibility for emergency federal funding.
To address these related infrastructure needs, we believe:
· That we should develop a bridge design that addresses the bottleneck created by the University and 4th Street bridges on the north end of the site;
· That we should provide transit enhancements along the I-35W corridor, and transit-oriented services for downtown Minneapolis;
· That design and planning for the new I-35W Bridge reduce congestion using strategies outlined in the Urban Partnership Agreement;
· That we should develop and approve a design immediately south of the bridge that supplements the existing freeway access provided at Washington Avenue, which is currently at capacity.
· That we address the impact of proposed changes on municipal streets in the corridor.
We are committed to working with our local, state and federal partners to make these prudent investments as much as possible during the freeway closure. This comprehensive and coordinated approach will, over time, provide the most cost-effective and safe infrastructure improvements for the State.
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