Yesterday, the Minnesota Senate passed a $1.9 billion bonding bill that would fund significant public works and economic development projects across the state.

Included in the bill was $52 million for the much-needed reconstruction of the Kellogg/3rd Street bridge, which connects the east metro to downtown Saint Paul -- a critical corridor for our city and region.

The Saint Paul Port Authority also received $2 million to go toward the construction of the Minnesota Museum of American Art located in the heart of downtown Saint Paul.

And finally, $55 million was allocated for the construction of two bus-rapid-transit lines, including the B Line that would connect the Uptown neighborhood in Minneapolis to downtown Saint Paul.