La Crescent, MN (WXOW)-- It was a standing-room only crowd at the Minnesota Department of Transportation public forum about the reconstruction plans for the I-90 bridge.
Whether or not to include a non-vehicle pathway has been one of the most controversial issues in the proposal.
All of the public comments at the meeting had to do with the plans to now include supports that will allow for the construction of a pedestrian and bicycle path in the future.
Those against the pathways are concerned about safety and cost. Adding the supports will be about $2 million. The entire bridge reconstruction will cost about $190 million.
Groups in favor of the bike paths say it will be a healthy way to commute and connect Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The actual pedestrian walkways will not be constructed with the new bridge; they will be added at a later date.
The bridge project team will consider all comments...before finalizing the proposal.
"These comments will be responded to formally, and will be contained in a document called findings, facts and conclusions, which will be made public. We will forward all comments to the federal highway administration," said Jai Kalsy of the I-90 Dresbach Project Team.
Public comments will be accepted until February 23.
