by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Bonding projects reaching across the metro were paraded before a joint  natural resources legislative committee yesterday (Thursday, Jan. 21).

House Tax Committee Chairwoman Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington, brought back a project she and others thought had been put to rest — the old Cedar Avenue bridge.

Taylors Falls Mayor Michael Buchite appeared before a joint natural resources committee today (Jan. 21) to request state support for the Swedish Immigrant Trail — a trail proposed to stretch from Wyoming to Taylors Falls. Sitting next to the mayor is Sen. Rick Olseen, DFL-Harris. The trail was just one of several area bonding proposals brought before the joint committees. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

The 1920-era bridge, connecting the cities of Eagan and Bloomington and a haunt of birders, bikers and anglers, seemed to be on verge of being removed and replaced.

Two million in state bonding money had been slated the project.

But the bridge, which Lenczewski said was gifted to Bloomington by the Department of Transportation against the city’s wishes as it’s “dripping with lead paint,”  has received a reprieve from the Federal Highway Administration.

The administration, Lenczewski said, has ruled the historic bridge can’t be torn down but must be restored.

This will add up to $7 million in additional costs, she explained. Lenczewski is seeking some $6 million in bonding. Currently, the old bridge is closed — long closed to traffic.

Two other area lawmakers brought bonding projects to the committee.

Kalin, Olseen bring projects to committee

Rep. Jeremy Kalin, DFL-North Branch, and Sen. Rick Olseen, DFL-Harris, are seeking bonding for Allemansratt Nature Reserve and Park in Lindstrom and the proposed Swedish Immigrant Trail.

The $2.6 million the lawmakers are seeking for the reserve would be used to help establish it — it would enfold about 120-acres in total when completed.

A Lindstrom city official said the city, unsuitable in some ways for development because of the abundance of lakes, is keying on its Swedish heritage.

A Nordic magnet already, the city, know as Little Sweden, is visited by some 6,000 Swedes a year, said Kalin.

Another ethnic-inspired project is the Swedish Immigrant Trail.

Proposed to stretch 20-miles from Wyoming to Taylors Falls, the trail would utilize an abandoned railroad corridor paralleling Highway 8.

All told, the lawmakers are looking for $1.3 million in bonding for the project.

Taylors Falls Mayor Michael Buchite told the committee the city had already made preparations for the development of the trail.