Surprise, Surprise: Bridge replacement gets political!

Bridge Failure Can’t Fend Off Usual Politics

Bridge Failure Can’t Fend Off Usual Politics
By MONICA DAVEY
Published: August 16, 2007
It took all of two weeks for the political unity brought on by a deadly bridge collapse in Minneapolis to unravel.

Excerpt:

Mr. Pawlenty and his State Department of Transportation have already unveiled broad plans for the new bridge, announcing the names of five possible contractors, and urging that it be open in record time, by the end of next year.

But R. T. Rybak, a Democrat who is mayor of Minneapolis; some Democratic leaders in the State Legislature; and members of the Minneapolis City Council have been loudly critical, questioning the need — and safety, given everything — of rushing to build a bridge.

Some called for provisions to allow light rail along the new span. Some called for a memorial for the victims. Mostly, they demanded: Why the hurry?

Comments: I wonder about the hurrying part myself! But the Feds will not pay for the increased cost of the light rail option. My take: Rybak and the DFL trying to score points.