REGIONAL- In a politically polarized Legislature, there’s at least one bill this session that has the power to bring Republicans and DFLers together—a bill that would designate a 40-mile stretch of U.S. Hwy. 169 as the Sen. David Tomassoni Memorial Cross Range Expressway.
Accolades for the late Chisholm senator began well before his passing in August 2022 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, and have continued to the present day from his legislative colleagues, friends, and numerous community organizations that have named various events in his honor, including fundraising efforts for ALS. The honors reflect not only Tomassoni’s legislative accomplishments but also how he went about achieving them by reaching across the aisle to form relationships that enabled him to bring much back to his constituents on the Iron Range.
Sen. Robert Farnsworth, R-Hibbing, chief author of the Senate bill, described why naming the highway for Tomassoni would be an appropriate honor when introducing the bill in the Senate last month.
“Decades ago, a plan was identified to turn the two-lane section of Hwy 169 between Grand Rapids and Virginia into a four-lane highway. For the last 30 years, Sen. Tomassoni, during his time in the (House), and more recently, during his time in the (Senate) worked to complete this dream. He was able to get funds about five to ten miles at a time. This project would not have happened without the determination of Sen. Tomassoni.”
The senator’s son, Dante Tomassoni, told the Senate committee that Tomassoni saw the road project as vital for both commerce and the safety and quality of life for families on the Iron Range.
“This highway was an important part of his career,” Tomassoni said.
Strong emotions were evident as others shared remembrances of Tomassoni and their support for the bill, including committee chair Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, as he brought the bill to a vote.
“It’s hard, it’s really hard,” he said. “It’s fair to say we loved David a lot. He was a giant of the Senate and this is a worthy recognition.”
The House version of the bill got a second hearing in committee on Monday, with chief author Dave Lislegard, DFL-Aurora, speaking on its behalf.
“Sen. Tomassoni was an incredible individual, and this is to acknowledge him as a highway between Marble and Mt. Iron,” Lislegard said. “It drives right past his home, in Chisholm, and his family is going to pay for the cost. The family is going to raise the funds for the signage.”