Time for a Sustainable Solution

By Jim Erkel

Secretary Ray LaHood has brought a new direction to the U.S. Department of Transportation. It is reflected in the Partnership for Sustainable Communities between the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Department. The Secretary’s commitment to sustainability will be seriously tested this week when he meets with the congressional delegations of Minnesota and Wisconsin to discuss the legislation being pushed by Rep. Michele Bachmann and Sen. Amy Klobuchar to exempt a $690 million, blufftop-to-blufftop, freeway-style bridge on the St. Croix River proposed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) from the protections of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

In the Partnership, USDOT committed itself to helping communities improve access to affordable housing, increase transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment. This commitment is laid out in six livability principles—providing more choices for transportation, promoting affordable housing, enhancing economic competitiveness, supporting existing communities, coordinating and leveraging federal investments, and valuing communities and neighborhoods. MNDOT’s proposed bridge fails each of the Partnership’s  principles. 

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