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Curtis Gilbert

Met Council approves $6 million bridge to Vikings stadium

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The Metropolitan Council has approved plans for a controversial pedestrian bridge for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium.

Supporters argue the bridge is needed to allow visitors to safely cross the light rail tracks in front of the stadium.

Several Met Council members objected to spending $6 million in public money on the project. But Met Council Member Harry Melander said the project is in the public interest.

"This bridge will be used daily by families, by people visiting our community, visiting the stadium," said Melander, executive secretary of the St. Paul Building and Construction Trades Council. "And I just think it's important that we try to make sure that we provide a safe lane for people that travel at that stop."

Among the Met Council members who objected to using public money for the bridge is Wendy Wulff, who said most of the year the bridge will be unnecessary.

"I believe staff said in addition to the eight Vikings game, there's perhaps another dozen events that generate the sort of traffic that the bridge is actually needed," Wulff said. "To me that says the Vikings should be participating in paying for this."

The council will take a final vote on the project once construction bids come in this summer. Opponents say they will continue to press the Vikings to help cover the cost.