U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called to inform her that his department will sign an agreement with state officials guaranteeing the release $20 million in federal grant funding for the Memorial Bridge replacement project.
Ben Porter of Save Our Bridges said: "I am completely indebted to Senator Collins for all the work she has done in this process to secure and maintain this funding. I appreciate how well she has worked with members of the delegations and from the two states' Department of Transportation to make this happen."
In October 2010, DOT announced it would award $20 million to help replace the Memorial Bridge that links Maine and New Hampshire, and Secretary LaHood traveled to Maine at Senator Collins' invitation to officially announce the grant award. Senator Collins had strongly advocated for approval of the grant. In February 2011, however, the House of Representatives passed a federal funding bill that would have blocked the release of the funds. Senator Collins immediately asked Secretary LaHood to work closely with state officials to cut through the bureaucratic red tape that threatened this funding. As Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Collins has repeatedly raised the issue with DOT officials during hearings and in private meetings in an effort to ensure that these promised funds were secured. She met personally with Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez on Monday, who assured her that DOT would continue to work to release the funding.
"I am delighted by today's announcement that this critical $20 million will be preserved that will help to rehabilitate a vital link for our states' businesses and people," said Senator Collins. "The replacement of the Memorial Bridge is crucial to the flow of goods, services and people between Maine and New Hampshire and for keeping and attracting new jobs to this region. I particularly appreciate Secretary LaHood's working so closely with me to expedite the process to guarantee this funding."
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RADIO STATIONS NOTE: Audio of Senator Collins is available here