This bridge on Highway 5 in Victoria has been flagged as one of 35 state and federal bridges in Minnesota that were ranked about the same or worse than the I-35W bridge that collapsed last week.

Bridge collapse may have ripple effect on county roadways

By Richard Crawford

The I-35W bridge disaster is likely to have a safety and funding effect on Carver County infrastructure.

Already, a state bridge on Highway 5 in Victoria has been highlighted as one of 35 state and federal bridges across Minnesota ranked about the same or worse than the I-35W bridge that collapsed last week, according to information compiled by the StarTribune.

The 162-foot-long bridge built in 1952 spans a Three Rivers Park District trail and handles an estimated 16,000 vehicle trips per day. According to the StarTribune ranking, the sufficiency rating for the bridge is 49.1, which means it’s “somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is.”

Public works representatives in Carver County and Victoria were aware of the bridge, but hadn’t received any information about it from the state since the I-35W bridge collapse.

Lt. Gov. and Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau indicated this week that 400 bridges in the state are considered a high priority for inspection, however, it was unclear whether the Highway 5 bridge is one of those.

Representatives of the Minnesota Department of Transportation weren’t able to provide any additional information on the bridge this week.

State Rep. Paul Kohls, a Republican from Victoria, reached by phone while on vacation this week, said he hadn’t received any information about the Highway 5 bridge.

“Obviously, given what happened to the 35W bridge, that brings a whole new light to the concerns and the issues related to the maintenance and upkeep of our bridges and is clearly something that gives me some concern,” Kohls said.

Chaska’s Highway 41 Minnesota River bridge also made MnDOT’s list of deficient structures. It rated a 38, the lowest score in the county, prior to its reconstruction. Complete reconstruction of the bridge due to deterioration began in July 2005 and finished up just last month at a cost of $7.6 million.

“It was on MnDOT’s deficiency list before reconstruction,” said City Administrator David Pokorney. “Obviously it’s not now. It’s one of their better bridges I’m sure.”

Funding needs

State officials are considering calling a special legislative session later this year to consider a gasoline tax increase that would fund road improvements. A proposal last session was vetoed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

The prospect of more funding for transportation was welcomed by Carver County Administrator David Hemze.

“There’s a broader issue,” Hemze said, “the lack of funding for our infrastructure. I’m glad to hear Pawlenty’s comments about potential movement on the gas tax. Certainly our road system is in dire need of some new revenue streams.”

Last month, the Carver County Board approved a new $5 per vehicle wheelage tax that is expected to generate an additional $315,000 annually for county road and bridge projects.

At that time, Hemze described the shortage of transportation funding as “an immediate, urgent problem of a significant magnitude.”

However, the additional money generated by the wheelage tax is still far short of planned road improvements.

The county’s five-year plan for road improvements currently faces an $8 million to $10 million shortfall, according to a county report.

Mollee Francisco contributed to this report.Richard Crawford can be reached at editor@chanvillager.com.