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State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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HOUSE COMMITTEE REVIEWS PROGRESS ON WAKOTA BRIDGE SPAN
ST. PAUL - The House Commerce and Labor Committee heard testimony today from top MnDOT officials about recent progress on the long-delayed Wakota Bridge. Early last year, State Representative Joe Atkins, who chairs the committee, held a series of hearings to determine why construction of the Wakota Bridge was costing twice as much and taking twice as long as originally anticipated. In Atkins’ words, today’s hearing sought to “review lessons learned by MnDOT, determine progress on the long-delayed project, and ensure nothing like this ever happens again in our state."
Originally scheduled for completion in November of 2007, MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel informed lawmakers at today’s hearing that the incomplete eastbound span will be open for traffic in July of 2010. Labeled “one of the most bungled bridges in America,” contract disputes and design flaws have made the southeast Metro bridge project among the most notoriously overdue, over-budget spans in the country - costing taxpayers $56 million more than originally budgeted, and taking more than 8 years to complete.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is to get this project done,” said Rep. Atkins, who also represents several communities negatively affected by the bungled bridge project. “I don’t know that any other transportation project has had the kind of adverse impact on commerce and labor in the southeast Metro than the long delay of construction on the Wakota Bridge.”
According to Newport Mayor-elect Tim Geraghty who also testified at the hearing, the impact on the local economy has been “devastating.” Geraghty cited the long delay as a significant impediment to economic development in Newport, and the cause of several small business closings in the area. Geraghty was also assured by MnDOT Bridge Engineer Dan Dorgan that structural issues on the westbound span have been resolved and the completed portion of the Wakota Bridge is, in fact, safe to cross. Recent repairs have given the bridge an expected life span of 75 to 100 years.
Legal disputes over the westbound span between MnDOT and HNTB have also been resolved. MnDOT officials reported at the hearing they have reached an agreement on a $20 million settlement with HNTB - the contract firm responsible for the design flaws that led to structural cracking in the westbound bridge span. Deputy Commissioner Kahni Sahebjam informed the committee that all revenue collected from the settlement will be used to complete an overlay project directly north of the bridge span to be completed in conjunction with the July 2010 Wakota Bridge deadline.
Rep. Atkins and the Commerce and Labor Committee have requested additional documents dealing with the project delay, including details surrounding the legal settlement with HNTB. Atkins expects the full-cooperation of MnDOT officials in delivering those documents, and pledges to continue working with MnDOT in the coming months and years to come to ensure the Wakota Bridge is completed without further delay or debacle.
“Our communities have waited long enough,” said Atkins. “I will continue doing everything in my power to make sure we don’t wait a day longer. We will see this bridge finished.”
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