Good news – at least for now. After three months of review the National Park Service (NPS) has given an overwhelming “thumbs do.png” to the construction of the mile-long Stillwater Bridge over the St. Croix River near Minneapolis/St.Paul, MN. Saying that the proposed bridge would have a “direct and adverse effect on the scenic and recreation values of the … riverway,” the NPS requested that no federal permits be issued for the project. This is good news for federal taxpayers because the bridge is projected to cost $71 million.

The proposed Stillwater Bridge was highlighted by both the Green Scissors and Road to Ruin campaigns which are led by coalitions of environmentalists, deficit hawks and taxpayer groups including TCS.

But the fight isn’t over yet. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MinnDOT) and some local interests are fighting back, saying that the NPS has overstepped its authority. A MinnDOT representative declared “we’ll fight this on two fronts – in the courts and in Congress.”

The proposed bridge would replace an existing two-lane drawbridge located a short way upstream that will eventually need replacement. Opponents of the proposed bridge point out that it is out of proportion and overpriced. Also, bridge planners have not explored cheaper alternatives such as expanding or converting the existing bridge. Analysis of MinnDOT’s own figures shows that even with the new bridge, traffic levels in downtown Stillwater will exceed present levels in less than twenty years.

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “the bridge as planned is unnecessary….The four lane span would encourage the exportation to Wisconsin of people, tax base, jobs and economic growth that should be kept in Minnesota.” In the opinion of both the Minnesota Journal and the Star Tribune, the proposed bridge violates the main principles of a Regional Blueprint adopted by the region’s Metropolitan Council in 1995.

Taxpayers united!

TCS was proud to be an official cosponsor of the successful 1997 National Taxpayers Conference held January 10-12 in Washington, DC. Organized by the National Taxpayers Union, the event brought together concerned citizens from across the nation to share their concerns. Special guests included Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Larry Craig (R-ID) and Orin Hatch (R-UT) and 1996 Presidential candidates Steve Forbes and Lamar Alexander.