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The bridge is open — commutes across the Mississippi for work, recreation and shopping are back to what we remembered and what we took for granted, unless, of course, you have trailers, buses or are driving a semi-truck. It would be easy to slip back into complacency, ignoring the road signs on both sides of the bridge that remind us this particular structure is overdue for replacement. Right now is a great time to pause to reflect on the lessons of the bridge closure.
First and most importantly is how closely connected these communities are and how little state lines really mean. Wisconsin and Minnesota are important distinctions when it comes to professional football or baseball but mean little when it comes to our economic health and who our neighbors are. We are a region, and though Winona is built on an island in the middle of the Mississippi, we are not island. We are a region, and as our neighbors go, so too do we. During the past couple of weeks, we heard business owners from both sides of the river howl as they saw the disastrous effects of the closure hit their bottom line almost instantly.
We rely on each other, and so do our economies. That being said, it’s important that we remind leaders and politicians on both sides of the river that the end of the world isn’t at the state line. What’s good for western Wisconsin is usually good for southeastern Minnesota.
That brings us to the second point. Collaboration.
In the past couple of weeks, we’ve had to look to folks on both sides of the river for things like carpooling and day care. While we’ve bound together to make sure we got to work on time and the kids were picked up and cared for, it’s important to understand that type of collaboration should be applied to our businesses and tourism. We need to understand that we should look to others across the river to help us in business — look for partnership and collaboration opportunities. And we need to understand that while there’s a difference between Minnesota and Wisconsin, those coming for a visit don’t necessarily see things the same way. They come to enjoy an entire region.
The bridge fiasco also shows the importance of investing in transportation and infrastructure. While transportation funding is not necessarily glitzy, it’s nonetheless necessary. Bridges don’t usually make news until they fall into rivers or are suddenly closed. But when that happens, the buzz fades quickly, but the economic realities last for months. While you’d have a hard time defining the word “infrastructure,” it’s easy to see when it crumbles beneath your tires. Bridges, highways and interstate roads shouldn’t be luxury items.
We’ve also learned that replacing a bridge — or even doing major repairs — takes a lot of planning. And that takes a lot of time. The bridge coalition that pulled together so well recently should remain proactive and continue to work. We need to start looking ahead to bridge replacement. And we need an engaged local group to advocate for what makes the most sense for this region. After all, the bridge closure showed us almost too late that we need to be our own advocates, because we can’t expect St. Paul or Rochester to fight for us.
We also learned that as much as local government officials sometimes become the target of jokes, they also are capable of moving swiftly and really react well to the needs of local citizens. Winona, the county, Buffalo County and so many other leaders should be commended for their quick actions that resulted in the ferry and shuttle system. They were able to take a terrible situation and bring relief — and they had a plan within 48 hours. In an era of cynicism, this is a bright spot. While some might assert this particular situation brought out the very best in what local governments could do, it is the kind of service and representation most of us take for granted.
Finally, ride sharing, carpooling and working together have given us a new appreciation for our neighbors. We’ve discovered who our neighbors are and that it might not be so bad getting to know them. Above everything else, the bridge closure has brought us together, not unlike the floods. Things like carpooling and telecommuting aren’t just the stuff of urban cities — it can be done in places like the Winona area.
As we sit back and consider what we’ve learned, as we look around and consider the treasures of this region, we can find scenic beauty and entrepreneurial spirit. But among the natural resources we have, the greatest may be each other.
By Darrell Ehrlick, editor, on behalf of the Daily News editorial board, which also includes publisher Rusty Cunningham and online editor Jerome Christenson. To comment, call (507) 453-3507 or e-mail to letters@winonadailynews.com
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