UPDATE: Bachmann Wants Wider I-94; Not Atop MnDOT List

ST. PAUL (AP) - Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann says she's working to muster support in Minnesota and Washington for money to add a new Interstate 94 lane in each direction between the western suburbs and St. Cloud.

The congresswoman gathered supporters Monday at the state Capitol to talk about the project, as well as a related push to upgrade Highway 10 that runs parallel to the heavily traveled interstate. Backers of the I-94 project are trying to amass $25 million for the first construction phase of an expansion that could reach $100 million when fully complete.

Bachmann says transportation is one of the "supreme duties" of government because it directly affects safety and commerce.

A Minnesota Department of Transportation spokesman says the I-94 widening doesn't rank high on the agency's project list.