A stalled road project in Minnetonka became the poster child Thursday for the far-reaching effects of a government shutdown and the simmering ire of some local leaders.

Republican Sen. Joe Gimse called a news conference at the Capitol to highlight a $15 million road project on Hwy. 169 in Minnetonka being held up by MnDOT because of the possible shutdown.

He distributed a pointed letter penned by Minnetonka city manager John Gunyou, former runningmate of gubernatorial candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher, to Transportation Commisioner Tom Sorel.

The letter, carbon copied to Gov. Dayton, said MnDOT recinded access to a key right of way just days before project managers were scheduled to demolish the Bren Road bridge. Workers need to use the right of way to operate equipment and continue the project.

"Unfortunately, this project is now in jeopardy, perhaps the potential victim of political maneuvering seemingly more designed to inflict as much pain as possible during the looming state shutdown, rather than to responsibly address actual administrative or engineering issues," Gunyou wrote.

Gunyou noted that MnDOT's role in the project, a public-private partership, was largely complete. Because the state has cut off access to the right of way during a shutdown, Gunyou wrote, the bridge demolition was postponed.

He said delaying the project could cost taxpayers up to $3 million in additional costs.

"It's a clear example of why this government shutdown is so unnecessary and a clear example of the damaging effects of a shutdown," Gimse told reporters. He noted that the transportation budget is packed with dedicated, non-general fund money that cannot be moved around.

"There's no reason why this particular piece of the budget has to be held up," Gimse said, adding that he has teed up another transportation bill that would only allocate those dedicated funds.

A spokesman for the Department of Transportation said they will respond when the commissioner has a chance to review the letter.

MnDOT spokesman Kevin Gutknecht just sent this response to Hot Dish: "MnDOT is the legal owner of trunk highway right-of-way and is responsible for its condition. By state law, it is illegal to do work in state right-of-way unless it is authorized by the state road authority. MS 160.2715. MnDOT inspectors insure that contractors are meeting contract specifications when constructing any type of infrastructure. Not conducting the inspections could put taxpayers at risk financially if the work needs to be done over. And, if work does not meet appropriate safety specifications, it could put the driving public at risk."

Gunyou Letter