Overpass funding included in Senate's bonding bill

Possible funding help for the Staples overpass/northsouth corridor project is inching its way through the Minnesota Legislature, which is working on a public works bonding bill.

A Senate version of the bill cleared two hurdles in the past ten days.

The Senate Capital Investment Committee advanced a $360 million bonding package on March 10 that includes funding fornumerous regional infrastructure needs, and also creating jobs in the state.

Included in the $360 million is a $300,000 appropriation for the design and construction of the proposed Staples overpass over Highway 10 and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks.

Sen Dan Skogen (DFL-Hewitt) was chief-author of legislation requesting the funding. "I'm pleased that we were able to get this important regional project included in the Senate bonding proposal," he said. He added that it will be easier for police and ambulance services to respond to emergencies once the overpass is built.

The full state Senate on Monday, March 16, adopted a $367 million public works bonding bill.

The Senate action sets up a possible confrontation with Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The Senate package, estimated to create hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs, is much more expensive than either Pawlenty or House members have considered borrowing for construction projects this year. It passed 56-8 in the Senate.

The Senate's bill would borrow $329 million, funneling more than $65 million into St. Paul-area projects, including $24 million for the Bell Museum of Natural History on the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus, $11 million to renovate Como Zoo's polar bear and gorilla exhibits, $10 million for an addition to Gillette Children's Hospital and $8.5 million for the Central Corridor lightrail line linking St. Paul and Minneapolis.

"What we tried to do this year is to make it a jobs bill and get as many people working as possible,'' said Sen. Keith Langseth, DFLGlyndon, the bill's chief sponsor.

Langseth estimated the package could create 5,000 jobs, but Republicans questioned that projection.

"There's something not right with these numbers,'' said Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, adding, "I don't know where these numbers are coming from.''

The bill was the first budget action this year in the Legislature, which is facing a $4.6 billion shortfall for the next two years.

Pawlenty has signaled he'll consider a limited bonding bill, as long as it helps maximize the federal stimulus package. The House is talking about spending less than $300 million on its public works bill.

The City of Staples, in partnership with Todd County, is coordinating the effort to build the overpass. City officials say building an overpass is integral to public safety in the area, as emergency vehicles often wait considerable periods of time when trains are passing through the intersection. In addition, the project will provide a north-south corridor between Todd and Wadena counties.

Federal funding is available to help pay for the project, but is contingent on the city securing a financial commitment from the state.

"This package is all about generating economic development and spurring job growth at a time when our economy is at its worst point since World War II," said Sen. Skogen.