Chanhassen Villager - Bridge collapse brings questions - Comments

In today's edition of the

FAdams — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 08:47:26 -0600

In today's edition of the Pioneer Press, there's a story that's sure to upset the people trying to bring down the lieutenant governor.

It reads: "a closer look at the record throws into question the idea MnDOT could have prevented the collapse by reinforcing the Minneapolis bridge, as an outside consultant recommended. The record also casts doubt on the theory that fatigue cracks made the bridge fall."

Read the whole thing at www.twincities.com.

The Pioneer Press reported

FAdams — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:28:09 -0500

The Pioneer Press reported that Navy divers stayed out of the Mississippi River on Tuesday as overnight storms increased the flow of the waters at the site of the collapsed Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis.

Even as the search for those believed killed in the collapse continues, historians are thinking about how they should document the carnage. As though this will ever be forgotten.

Not surprisingly, there's

FAdams — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:46:54 -0500

Not surprisingly, there's been a rush by some to say that we need to pay higher taxes to fund road construction.

What about "Vote Yes" in Minnesota for motor vehicle sales tax to fund roads and transit?

U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) announced a three-year, $25 billion national bridge reconstruction program financed through a temporary nickel increase in the federal gas tax. This is in addition to the gas tax increase Minnesota legislators and some media outlets are hoping for.

That's right, Jim, we're not paying enough. Stick it to us. You, too, in the Minnesota legislature. Why don't you increase subsidies to the ethonol plants, too? I'm sure your plan will be great for the economy and the "little guy."

Here's what President Bush had to say about it. "Before we raise taxes, which could affect economic growth, I would strongly urge the Congress to examine how they set priorities."

Hmm. A Congress with priorities? So maybe they could spend tax revenue on infrastructure, instead of earmarks, pet projects and catering to interest groups.

The Washington Times reports that about $24 billion, or eight percent of the last $286 billion highway bill, was devoted to highway and bridge projects singled out by lawmakers.

Wow! Is that all? Don't tell me we need to raise taxes.

The balance of the money in the highway bill is distributed through grants to states, which decide how it will be spent.

Federal money accounts for about 45 percent of all infrastructure spending.

Seems to me that somebody needs to be held accountable for not spending grants to make highway improvements on making those improvements.

What do you think?

This just in... A newspaper in Arizona is reporting that an overpass under construction on the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway in east Mesa collapsed Thursday morning, sending more than 75 yards of roadway to the ground. Nobody was injured.

Local media is reporting

FAdams — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 09:06:41 -0500

Local media is reporting that Governor Pawlenty says he was reconsidering his opposition to a gas tax increase even before the 35-W bridge collapse.

Last Friday he said he'd agree to raise the state's 20 cents-per-gallon gas tax as part of a comprehensive transportation package. That's after he had vetoed gas tax increases in 2005 and again in 2007, both times when consumers were facing record-high gasoline prices. Consumers are still paying high gas prices, but Pawlenty seems to have changed his mind.

Does anybody seriously think a higher gas tax would have prevented the bridge from collapsing? What ever happened with the "Vote Yes" campaign, the transportation amendment that dedicates all existing motor vehicle sales tax to fund roads and transit? I thought that was billed as a panacea for all our transportation ills.

Bridge collapse brings questions

FAdams — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:52:04 -0500