Posted: 5/12/04
By MaryHelen Swanson
The reconstruction of the bridge over I-35 in North Branch is ever present on the minds of the city officials.
Last week at a council work session, City Engineer Julie Dresel talked about the $1 million that is coming from the federal government through the Federal Transportation Bill, now named TEA-LU for Transportation Equity Act - a Legacy for Users.
The $1 million from the federal government will be used to prepare the final design of the new bridge. It might not be until next winter that the city receives the federal appropriation, however.
But $9 million is needed to do the actual construction.
Dresel told the councilmembers on hand that it is important to keep the bridge project before the local legislators. And she said it was important to stay in touch with U.S. Rep. James Oberstar.
She also noted that the NB bridge project and the County Road 17 overpass project are two separate projects.
She said North Branch needs to be concerned only about its bridge project.
And for those who are concerned that the CR 17 project is being done to reroute traffic during the Hwy. 95 bridge construction, Dresel said people need to know that traffic will not be shut down in North Branch during the construction project.
The two projects are not tied together, she stressed.
How soon will construction begin?
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDot) has placed the bridge on the draft work plan for the y
The only way it can be done sooner is if the city foots the bill upfront and then seeks reimbursement. Dresel told the council that unless North Branch has the money, MnDOT will not listen seriously about the project.
Also, it will take time to get approval of the final design by MnDOT, she said. If the city would bond for the construction cost, Dresel said 2007 could be a realistic target date for construction.
Councilman Rod Lofquist said 2007 was unacceptable, that it should begin in 2005. But Dresel said even 2007 is aggressive.
Bureaucracy is a big part, she said.
City Administrator Joe Lynch said the city needs assurances that it would get paid back with state or federal money if it bonds for the project. That would also include payback for interest costs.
Councilwoman Kathy Blomquist asked if the city needs a referendum to bond for the funds for the project.
City finance director Dave Stutelberg said if the project falls inside the levy limits no referendum is needed. He said heíd have to check to see if it falls into a category that can be funded without a referendum.
The critical element, Dresel said, is the federal funding.ear 2014.
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