By MaryHelen Swanson

The buzz at the Relay for Life Friday night was that the funding for the reconstruction of the I-35 overpass bridge in North Branch was approved by both the U.S. House and Senate.

More exciting, was that all that is needed now is a signature from President Bush.

By Monday morning, that good news was confirmed by Rep. James Oberstar as well as Senators Norm Coleman and Mark Dayton.

From her vacation up north, a thrilled North Branch Mayor Gloria Karsky told the Post Review this was great news for the city. ìItís such good news,î she said, noting that the city has been working on this project for years.

She said she canít wait for the project to get started.

The North Branch project will consist of reconstruction to a six-lane bridge, with turning lanes and safer walkways on both sides.

For many years the project has been uppermost in priority for the city as well as receiving priority support from Chisago County. It is hoped that the new bridge will relieve congestion and waiting time as well as provide a safer option for those walking or biking across the freeway.

For years, local officials have been talking with state legislators to encourage them to support the project so it would get the needed federal funding.

The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU), is the largest, most comprehensive public works legislation in history, and authorizes $286.5 billion over six years for federal highways, public transit, and road safety projects ñ a 42 percent increase over the guaranteed funding for the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21).

ìCongressí challenge is to ensure that our nationís highways, bridges, recreational trails, enhancements and safety improvements keep up with the demands of a growing population and greater involvement in the global marketplace. Increasing our investment in a strong, efficient, and safe transportation infrastructure will create good, family-wage jobs and help maintain our economic competitiveness,î said Congressman Oberstar. ìTEA-LU will improve economic productivity, facilitate international trade, relieve congestion, enrich our quality of life, and make our transportation systems safer. Simply put, this bill will get America moving ñ and working ñ again!î

The bill authorizes $121,313,556 over six years for 57 high priority projects in Minnesotaís Eighth Congressional District. Local Eighth District projects included in the conference report include: North Branch, TH-95 Bridge over I-35: Conduct design, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of TH-95 bridge, approaches, ramps, and signals, including turn lanes, over I-35. ($7,120,745);

Chisago County, CSAH 17: Reconstruction of CSAH 17 from west Chisago County line to Highway 30. This includes a new bridge and ramps over I-35. ($5,616,595); Lindstrom, TH 8: Capacity and safety improvements to TH 8, west of 306th St. to the eastern city limits ($5,760,000) and Chisago City to Forest Lake, TH 8: Environmental assessment for TH 8 upgrade ($480,000).

Chisago County Commissioner Rick Olseen, who several weeks ago went to Washington, D.C. with Mayor Karsky and Chisago County Engineer Bill Malin to talk to senators and others about the need for the funding for these projects, was pretty excited about the news too.

ìIt was a real team effort,î he said of the NB bridge project, adding that the area owes Congressman Oberstar a big debt of gratitude.
ìHeís making this come true,î Olseen said. ìCongressman Oberstar really did this for us and all the people.î

Olseen noted that in the package the CR 17 project came up short in funding about $1 million and the county will have to look for gap funding to complete the project.

That project, he said, is scheduled to begin in spring 2006 with completion by fall. The CR 17 project involves the creation of an interchange on I-35 with an anticipated park and ride facility and road reconstruction to the Isanti County line.

At North Branch City Hall folks there are ìvery, very, very excited,î according to City Engineer Julie Dresel.

ìWe can now begin discussions with Mn/DOT on what the state's share will be,î said Dresel.

The total estimated cost of the new bridge is $13 million. The city has received additional funding through the Region 7E process.
Typically, Dresel said, the local community pays 20 percent of the cost, but she is hoping that since the bridge is on a trunk highway, the state will kick in a larger share.

The bridge issue goes back to the mid-90s. The issues of back-up into town and safety have escalated and are a concern to area residents.

In the mid-90s federal funding became available to local communities. Work began in 1997 to obtain federal funding for the NB project, Dresel said.

What's next for the city and the bridge project?

With the federal funding, the design work can be completed in 2006 with a goal of beginning construction in 2007.

Very shortly the city will be working with the state. Actually, Dresel noted, the city has already been working on a preliminary layout with the state for a number of months.

The general consensus at city hall is one of great excitement. "We've been working on it a really long time,î Dresel said.

ìOnce the President signs the bill and we know weíve got it we can work on the rest.î

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