Letter: Rhoades has been champion

Dear Editor,

Rep. Kitty Rhoades has been a champion for a new Stillwater Bridge throughout her entire public career. As longtime local advocates for building a new bridge and as western Wisconsin members on the Stakeholder group, we have worked with her extensively and closely, and seen her effectiveness.

A recent uninformed letter writer had it exactly opposite, absurdly questioning Kitty’s actions and motives on the bridge. The truth is, without Kitty’s leadership we would not be anywhere near a new bridge.

This two-state, multiple agency, multi-year project is the most complex construction and financing project our region has faced, and the Federal Highway Administration suggested the need for heavy-duty financial analysis to get the most efficient and cost effective package, and FHWA is willing to pay for that analysis.

It makes complete sense to us, and our legislative delegation, Democrats and Republicans, agrees.

The Stakeholder group process resulted in a positive Record of Decision for the project, and now our entire western Wisconsin legislative delegation is working on our behalf to secure funding, moving the Stillwater Bridge much closer to reality.

Rep. Kitty Rhoades has been indispensible in that effort.

John Soderberg, New Richmond, St. Croix Alliance for an Interstate Bridge

William Berndt, River Falls, Stakeholder, St. Croix River Crossing

Tags: opinion, hudson, letter, rhoades, stillwater_bridge