Re: 2015-16 MN Legislative Session & Budget
Posted: October 22nd, 2015, 8:02 am
Some more info about 2016 state bonding requests for specific bridges/interchanges: http://finance-commerce.com/2015/10/st- ... nt-bridge/
This is being discussed in the Orange Line thread a little bit, but if the bonding bill does not include at least partial funding for the 35W/494 interchange and for the 35W bridge over the MN River, the Orange Line will likely not be able to begin service in late 2019. The latter bridge project could have a tough go at the legislature, since it was officially scheduled for replacement in 2020 and is not structurally deficient. MNDOT is currently shifting plans to begin work in 2017 however. Funding for 35W/494 seems more likely to happen, if it were one or the other.
St. Paul will almost certainly get its wish on the Kellogg/3rd Bridge, if it is the city's top bonding priority. As for Minneapolis, I think they are still looking for money for the 10th Avenue Bridge. I don't believe they got anything for that in the 2015 session, since a comprehensive transportation bill was not passed.
This is being discussed in the Orange Line thread a little bit, but if the bonding bill does not include at least partial funding for the 35W/494 interchange and for the 35W bridge over the MN River, the Orange Line will likely not be able to begin service in late 2019. The latter bridge project could have a tough go at the legislature, since it was officially scheduled for replacement in 2020 and is not structurally deficient. MNDOT is currently shifting plans to begin work in 2017 however. Funding for 35W/494 seems more likely to happen, if it were one or the other.
St. Paul will almost certainly get its wish on the Kellogg/3rd Bridge, if it is the city's top bonding priority. As for Minneapolis, I think they are still looking for money for the 10th Avenue Bridge. I don't believe they got anything for that in the 2015 session, since a comprehensive transportation bill was not passed.