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• Group asks Wisconsin to step up action on Stillwater Bridge
• Marines welcomed home after serving overseas

By RiverTown Staff

The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently informed a legislative oversight committee that it plans to move the Stillwater Bridge Project higher on the priority list.

Now a pro-bridge advocacy group says Wisconsin should do the same.

On June 14, MnDOT officials reported to the Minnesota Legislature's joint committee on transportation that it was accelerating the Stillwater Bridge replacement project start date to 2013.

After the meeting with MnDOT, Rep. Kathy Saltzman, DFL-Woodbury, let it be known that Minnesota now expects some action from Wisconsin on the project.

"The other piece that is very critical to this is the Wisconsin funding," said Saltzman. "But we do need to put some pressure on the Wisconsin side. We're starting to talk, 'Here's our pot of money, now where is yours.'"

Now the group called the St. Croix Alliance for an Interstate Bridge has joined Saltzman in pushing for action from the Wisconsin side.

In a June 27 letter to Frank Busalacchi, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the group asked Wisconsin to follow Minnesota's lead.

"Now that MnDOT has brought forward a firm construction date and funding commitment, we are asking the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to do the same," wrote John Soderberg, chairman of the alliance.

Soderberg asked Busalacchi for a commitment that Wisconsin meet the 2013 start date and funding that Minnesota has committed to. He also said valley residents on both sides of the river were happy to see the move made by MnDOT.

"Those of us in the St. Croix Valley couldn't be happier," Soderberg wrote.

"We have lived with serious transportation problems associated with the historic, but functionally obsolete lift bridge, and we are excited to see real progress. The history of the river project has been long and frustrating," he added.

He also noted in his letter that local residents have been working hard throughout the years to keep the project going and have often had to overcome difficult obstacles.

Soderberg told Busalacchi that he believes the work of the bridge project stakeholder group will prevail against new obstacles including the court case brought against the project by the Sierra Club.

The St. Croix Alliance for an Interstate Bridge was formed in 1996 after the National Park Service recommended that no federal permits be issued for the bridge project.

The group is a non-profit organization that operates in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

By Laura Kruse, RiverTown Staff

Josh Shores had no idea what was waiting for him when his car pulled up to the Park and Ride lot in Roberts on Friday morning.

To welcome Shores back from his time in the Marines, locals turned out by the dozens, including the American Patriot Riders Organization. As his car pulled in the lot, leather-clad motorcyclists holding American flags flanked each side of the road. Joining them were Shores' family and friends.

Also in the mix of people was Tyler Martie, another Marine who just returned home about a week ago. Martie, however, snuck into town without the organization's knowledge and without the dramatic welcome Shores received.

As Shores exited the vehicle, a big smile broke across his face. He said, "I didn't expect this, thank you."

The crowd responded with a "thank you" in return.

Shores is now done with his service, finishing as a sergeant. He told the crowd, "It's Mr. Shores now."

The motorcycles and cars paraded Shores and Martie into New Richmond. Upon arrival, they were taken to Champs where they received more hugs and welcomes from other people.

While the crowd mingled about eating muffins and drinking coffee and Bloody Marys, Rocci Stucci of the American Patriot Riders presented plaques to the two in honor of the service they have done for their country. He said, "Thank you for your service, and thank you for our freedom."

Get more in this week's print edition of the New Richmond News or on the New Richmond News Web site.