WINONA, MN -- The city of Winona is going to spend almost $85,000 a week to ferry commuters across the Mississippi River now that the Highway 43 bridge is closed.
Minnesota transportation officials closed the bridge last week because of concerns about steel plates that help hold the bridge together. One plate was so rusty an inspector's hammer went right through it.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has pledged to reimburse Winona for half the cost of the ferries. First District Congressman Tim Walz and Rep. James Oberstar, who runs the House Transportation Committee, say they're pressing to change guidelines to allow the federal government to help with the cost, as well.
The closed bridge has been hurting Winona businesses. Midtown Foods manager Ernie Gorman says sales are down by 25 percent since the bridge closed.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
