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State Representative Michael Beard
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8872
For more information contact: Jodi Boyne 651-296-0640
HOUSE BRIEFS
BRIDGE, FLOOD UPDATES
Hello,
I want to keep you aware of what’s going on with regards to flood relief efforts and the continuing aftermath of the 35W bridge collapse. Here is the latest.
FEMA and the Small Business Administration preliminary estimate is that the catastrophic flooding in seven southeast Minnesota counties caused more than $67 million in damages to homes, businesses and public infrastructure. You might be wondering who pays for the rebuilding? Once FEMA determines the final damage amount, the federal government pays for 75 percent and the state/local governments pay for 25 percent. FEMA also offers up to $28,200 to homeowners for repair or rebuilding.
When flood events occurred in the past, the Legislature met in a one-day special session to approve funding for the state’s share of the cost. Because dollar amounts take several months to know for sure, the special sessions were often three or four months after the actual flood.
Regarding the bridge collapse, MnDOT has put the job out for bids and four companies are expected to make offers (a fifth withdrew over the weekend). The bridge will be rebuilt using a design-build contract, meaning that one contractor handles the design and construction of the bridge as opposed to the two processes being done separately. I have been a design-build advocate for a long time and helped pass the law allowing the contracts to be widely used for public projects. Design-build saves taxpayer dollars because it is more efficient and helps projects get done faster, an important factor given that traffic delays and detours are costing us an estimated $400,000 per day. But please don’t assume that the accelerated nature of the project means safety will be compromised. Some have already made that claim and it is patently untrue and, I think, unfair to the folks working double overtime to get this project going and making sure the next bridge stands for at least a century.
Talk of a special session in the fall remains just talk at this point. When there is anything definitive one way or the other, I will let you know. Until then, please keep your thoughts and questions coming. Talking to and communicating with so many different people is one of the many joys of being your state representative. Thank you for giving me the honor of doing so on your behalf.
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- State Budget Round Two: Increased taxes, spending on the horizon - (Posted: May 3 2013 10:27AM)
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