Hi everybody,

I have good news to report on the new Hastings bridge! MnDOT has named

the construction company that is the apparent "best value" bidder, who

will be doing the design-build for the new four-lane Highway 61 bridge,

and its bid came in much lower than expected.

The company, Lunda/Ames, bid for our project will cost $120 million –

or roughly $100 million less than the MnDOT estimated a few years ago.

Lunda/Ames did not say whether it would construct an arch or cable

bridge to replace our current structure. Those details will be released

once the contract is finalized in the next few weeks.

Also, for those of you who like enjoy non-partisan stories regarding

the Minnesota House, our House Information team asked that I pass this

information along:

For those of you who receive the House Session Weekly news magazine in

your mailbox weekly during session, please note: At the end of every

biennium, postal regulations require the Session Weekly mailing list to

be purged.

If you want to receive Session Weekly next year, when the legislative

session begins Jan. 4, 2011, you will need to renew your subscription.

You can do this by filling out the renewal form contained in the final

2010 Session Weekly issue, by calling House Public Information Services

at 651 296 2146 or 800 657 3550, or going online to

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/subscribesw.asp#bymail.

In addition, my 2010 Legislative Report has been printed and I am in

the process of walking from house to house in our area to gather

feedback. If I haven’t stopped by your home yet, you’ll likely see

me in the coming days or weeks, as I look forward to your questions and

comments regarding state government.

And just a reminder, Cottage Grove’s Strawberry Fest parade will be

taking place on Saturday, June 19th at 10:30 a.m. I look forward to

seeing you there!

Keep in touch,

Denny