Bridge and road closures due to flooding have created a Scott County transportation crisis

Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) released the following statement urging Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher to immediately re-stripe and re-open Highway 169 in light of recent flooding that closed three bridges in Scott County:

“Flooding in Scott County has led to the closure of three bridges. The construction closure of Flying Cloud Drive across the 101 Bridge and bridge construction on I-35W means residents of Scott County are on the verge of a transportation crisis. I informed Commissioner Anderson Kelliher last week that flooding was unavoidable and stressed the urgent need for adding a lane on Highway 169 to handle the additional traffic. Unfortunately, MNDOT is taking a wait-and-see strategy instead of being proactive. MNDOT should immediately begin the process of re-striping so that Scott County residents and employers can be confident our transportation system runs smoothly.”