Bachmann, allies pitch I-94 widening to Dayton

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann and other elected officials from along Interstate 94 between Minneapolis and St. Cloud are asking Gov. Mark Dayton to consider making it a higher state priority to widen the freeway by a lane in each direction.

Bachmann, state Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer and others met with Dayton for about an hour Tuesday. Political and business leaders along the heavily traveled corridor say perennial congestion is bad for the economy, and they're trying to secure an initial $25 million for the project.

But the project is not included in a state Department of Transportation list of priorities for the next 20 years. Dayton says afterward that he didn't make any promises and that the project must compete with other pressing transportation needs.

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