(Spencer)– Spencer’s City Manager says the inclusion of five million dollars in the Federal Transporation Bill for a Highway 71 bypass of Spencer is definitely good news. But Dean Torresen says the next step, getting the state to put the project back on its list of priorities for the next five years, is going to be a major hurdle if the 35 million dollar project is to become a reality anytime soon.
Torresen says the inclusion of the five million in federal funding is intended to serve as an incentive to get the state’s attention. He says state officials have made no indication yet in that regard.
Torresen says if nothing else, he’s hoping the state would atleast consider splitting the project in two. He says they could budget money for right-of-way acquisition now, and set aside money later to finish the project.
Torresen says the fact that most of the money needed to complete the Highway 60 expansion project will soon be allocated may also be helpful.
In the meantime Torresen says they’ll continue to heavily lobby local law makers and the D-O-T.
