Kline Voted Against Funding for Reconstruction of the I-35W Bridge. After the collapse of the I-35W Bridge, Rep. Oberstar and Sen. Klobuchar helped add $250 million to the transportation bill to restore this vital connection through the Twin Cities. But when the time came to vote on this bill, a mere three-and-a-half months after the bridge fell into the river, John Kline voted no. The bipartisan bill passed the House 270-147. (HR 3074, Vote #1102, 11/14/2007) 

Kline Wants Toll Roads in Minnesota. In 2004, John Kline co-sponsored a bill that would authorize construction of toll roads and allow tolls to be collected by private companies. Roads targeted for this change included Highway 169 and Interstate 35. Despite the failures of private toll ways in California, Virginia, and other states, John Kline pushed the plan. (HR 3550, Vote #114, 4/2/2004) 

Kline Refuses to Help His District Secure Federal Funding for Critical Transportation Projects. After his party lost its majority, John Kline decided to stop requesting funding for projects in his district, regardless of their merit. 

• “It's shocking and disturbing,” said Dakota County Commissioner Will Branning, head of a partnership working on the Cedar Avenue transit project. “For one congressman to do it, it puts us in a box.” (Star Tribune, 12/7/2007)
• Scott County officials trying to solve transportation problems in their region do not have Kline’s support. “The congressman has to do what he thinks is right, and we respect that,” said county Administrator Dave Unmacht. “But how effective can he be in changing the process?” (Star Tribune, 1/11/2008)
• With the Hastings Bridge on U.S. Highway 61 in dire need of replacement, John Kline has refused to help secure federal funding. “The disappointment is that he ruled out completely any discussion of federal money (for the bridge),” said Hastings City Council Member Danna Elling Schultz. To get the Hastings Bridge replaced, John Kline has told Hastings officials to rely on MNDOT making it a higher priority and hoping they have enough money to perform the replacement. (Hastings Star-Gazette, 1/25/2008) The poor condition of the bridge has been known for some time, but it was recently downgraded from 49.1 to a frightening 38.1 on a 100-point scale due to corrosion of the superstructure. (Winona Daily News, 2/16/2008)