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JAMES L. OBERSTAR <br /> 8TH DISTRICT, MINNESOTA <br /> <br />2366 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING <br />WASHINGTON, DC 20515-2308 <br />{202) 225-6211 <br /> FAX: (202) 225-0699 <br /> <br /> RANKING DEMOCRAT: <br /> <br /> TRANSPORTATION AND <br /> INFRASTRUCTURE <br /> <br /> oF cDrcscntatiocs <br /> ashin con, <br /> April 9, 1998 <br /> <br />The Honorable Henry A. Duitsman <br />Mayor <br />City Of Elk River <br />12354 Ridgewood Drive <br />Elk River, Minnesota 55330-8219 <br /> <br /> DISTRICT OFFICES: <br /> <br />BRAINERD CITY HALL <br />501 LAUREL STREET <br />BRAINERD, MN 56401 <br />(218) 828-440O <br /> <br />CHISHOLM CITY HALL <br />316 LAKE STREET <br />CHISHOLM, MN 55719 <br />{218) 254-5761 <br /> <br />231 FEDERAL BUILDING <br />DULUTH, MN 55802 <br />{218) 727-7474 <br /> <br />ELK RIVER CITY HALL <br />13065 ORONO PARKWAY <br />ELK RIVER, MN 55330 <br />(612) 241-0188 <br /> <br />Dear Hank: <br /> <br /> I'm delighted to tell you that the BESTEA (Building Efficient Surface Transportation and <br />Equity Act) bill that passed the House contains $3.2 million for Elk River Bypass, and $707,000 for <br />Highway 169 Pedestrian Overpass. I'm glad we were able to include these important projects in the <br />bill. <br /> <br /> In all, H.R. 2400 authorizes $218 billion over the next six years for surface transportation <br />projects. <br /> <br /> We are now in Conference with the Senate, whose bill is considerably different. It has no <br />projects, and slightly less money overall. Further, BESTEA exceeds the spending cap set by last <br />year's Balanced Budget agreement by $26 billion. If the Conference accepts the House version we <br />will have to "find" that $26 billion somewhere, in some other programs. If we can't, then the full <br />$218 billion can't be spent. <br /> <br /> The bottom line is that there are some uncertainties in the future of BESTEA, and therefore <br />funding for projects. I selected projects on their merits, for their contribution to safety, and will <br />stand by them to the end. However, I did want to let you know the situation so that, if we're forced <br />to cut back on the amount of funds for each project, you would understand the difficulties we're <br />facing. Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that we'll find the $26 billion in offsets, and be able to fully <br />fund every project. <br /> <br />With all best wishes. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />~erstar, M.C. <br /> <br />JLO/cdg <br /> <br /> <br />