Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Gov. Blunt Statement on Mississippi River Bridge
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today issued the following statement on the East-West Gateway Council’s vote on the Mississippi River bridge:
“Creating a long term solution for the St. Louis region by securing a new bridge over the Mississippi River is a priority. I am disappointed that today’s scheduled vote by the East-West Gateway Council did not allow time to review a new proposal that has come forward that I believe represents a new starting point in our ongoing efforts to build a new Mississippi River bridge.
“There are three significant problems with the coupler plan. First, we are still waiting for Illinois to complete their environmental impact studies on the current plan and new environmental studies for the coupler plan would delay the project by years. Second, the coupler plan would unnecessarily dump traffic into downtown St. Louis. Third, the coupler plan would only add three new lanes across the Mississippi where other proposals could add six to eight lanes across the river.
“The new proposal we received to build the bridge is at least worth a discussion and consideration. I have invited Gov. Blagojevich to meet in St. Louis to discuss regional concerns, including the Mississippi River bridge, and I look forward to discussing the new proposal at the meeting.”
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