Rep. McCollum fights to scale back new Stillwater bridge

by Brett Neely, Minnesota Public Radio

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A key congressional opponent of a proposed new four-lane bridge to be built in Stillwater, Minn., plans to try to scale it back.

Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., has long argued that the current proposed bridge is too large and too expensive.

With bills authorizing a new bridge waiting for votes in the House and Senate, McCollum is preparing a bill that would limit funding for any new bridge over the St. Croix River.

According to a copy of the legislation given to MPR News, the bill would cut off federal funds if the bridge's cost exceeds $574 million. The current proposal comes in just under $700 million.

The move comes a day before Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood convenes a meeting of Minnesota and Wisconsin lawmakers to discuss the bridge.

McCollum is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and she could also try to insert this restriction into an upcoming appropriations bill. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is a cosponsor of the measure.