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> example is the bridge scares because that is pushed by construction and union concerns and they know how to scare you The I-35 bridge collapse was a couple o

by knz 10y ago

> example is the bridge scares because that is pushed by construction and union concerns and they know how to scare you The I-35 bridge collapse was a couple of miles from my apartment at the time and occurred during a significant public debate in Minnesota about infrastructure spending. There was no "scare" about bridges - just a decade of underinvesting in infrastructure despite the warnings of the DOT and engineers about the increasingly poor condition of nearly every bridge in the State and complaints about how reduced budgets meant less time inspecting infrastructure. Our Governor at the time (Pawlenty) was a notable opponent of government spending and had made significant cutbacks due to a "no new taxes" pledge and tax cuts (he had ambitions for higher office and unsuccessfully ran for President in 2012). Obviously Pawlenty wasn't directly responsible for the bridge collapse but our current Governor (Dayton) was elected partly due to promises to repair aging infrastructure (it was a major election issue).

mason240 10y ago
Which he has yet to follow through on.
- knz 10y ago
  In the east metro the majority of overpass bridges have been replaced over the last 5 years - particularly along 35E north between 94 and 694, and 94 between St Paul and 280. The LRT line between St Paul and Minneapolis was also completed and the new Stillwater/36 bridge is nearly complete. That said, there are still claims of underinvestment (http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-s-bridges-are-still-out-there-aging/302251741/ http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-s-bridges-are-still-out...) and now the bonding bill has become a contentious issue again with Republicans who are unhappy about proposed spending on public transportation and are looking to fund tax cuts. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-minnesota-bonds-idUSKBN14O21X http://www.reuters.com/article/us-minnesota-bonds-idUSKBN14O... "Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton unveiled a plan on Wednesday to fund a variety of infrastructure projects "vital" to the state's future with $1.5 billion of general obligation bonds. The proposal is slightly bigger than the $1.4 billion bonding plan he proposed a year ago to the Democrat-controlled Senate and Republican-controlled House. A deal failed to materialize, leaving Minnesota without annual infrastructure funding. The Democratic governor could face a tougher battle this year as Republicans control both legislative chambers after winning a one-seat majority in the Senate in the Nov. 8 election." I believe he is leaving office soon - it'll be interesting to see if infrastructure spending continues to be influential in the election. I'm surprised no one tried to tie the recently passed Sunday liquor sales with infrastructure spending! ;)

by knz 10y ago

mason240 10y ago

Which he has yet to follow through on.

knz 10y ago
In the east metro the majority of overpass bridges have been replaced over the last 5 years - particularly along 35E north between 94 and 694, and 94 between St Paul and 280. The LRT line between St Paul and Minneapolis was also completed and the new Stillwater/36 bridge is nearly complete. That said, there are still claims of underinvestment (http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-s-bridges-are-still-out-there-aging/302251741/ http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-s-bridges-are-still-out...) and now the bonding bill has become a contentious issue again with Republicans who are unhappy about proposed spending on public transportation and are looking to fund tax cuts. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-minnesota-bonds-idUSKBN14O21X http://www.reuters.com/article/us-minnesota-bonds-idUSKBN14O... "Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton unveiled a plan on Wednesday to fund a variety of infrastructure projects "vital" to the state's future with $1.5 billion of general obligation bonds. The proposal is slightly bigger than the $1.4 billion bonding plan he proposed a year ago to the Democrat-controlled Senate and Republican-controlled House. A deal failed to materialize, leaving Minnesota without annual infrastructure funding. The Democratic governor could face a tougher battle this year as Republicans control both legislative chambers after winning a one-seat majority in the Senate in the Nov. 8 election." I believe he is leaving office soon - it'll be interesting to see if infrastructure spending continues to be influential in the election. I'm surprised no one tried to tie the recently passed Sunday liquor sales with infrastructure spending! ;)