Report: Minnesota bridge spending tied for nation’s lowest

A Congressional investigation has shown that Minnesota’s federal spending on bridge repair is tied with Arizona for the lowest in the nation, a finding that the Minnesota Department of Transportation disputes. The report says that Minnesota has passed up $63.5 million in federal funds for bridge repair since 2003 and transferred another $50 million from bridge repair to other projects.

"Looking at one federal program does not capture our investment in bridges," Abby McKenzie, director of investment management MnDOT told the Star Tribune. "When you look at actual bridge conditions, we are one of the best in the nation."

But Rep. James Oberstar, chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, begged to differ.

"It is disingenuous for MnDOT to claim that funds it has contractually obligated to its bridge repair program are not reflective of the maintenance, repairs and reconstruction those contracts funded," he told the Star Tribune. "Recent bridge closings in Duluth, St. Cloud, Hastings and Winona demonstrate a deficiency in MnDOT’s bridge program."

No matter how you measure it, Minnesota’s commitment to maintaining, repairing and replacing bridges is well below the national average," he said.

See also: "State lags in bridge spending, report finds," Associated Press.