N.H. plans solo bridge funding
The state of New Hampshire is planning to seek $44 million in bonds to fund the replacement of the Memorial Bridge without seeking any help from Maine.
The Senate Transportation Committee yesterday unanimously voted to support the bond funds, which along with existing funds and stimulus money would allow New Hampshire to pay for a new bridge on its own, according to SeacoastOnline. State Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, said working with Maine "hasn't been easy" and expressed concern Maine could delay work on replacing the bridge. Maine and New Hampshire both own the bridge that spans the Maine-New Hampshire border.
New Hampshire Department of Transportation Commissioner George Campbell told a crowd at a Portsmouth City Council meeting last night that the bridge's state of disrepair made it impractical to rehabilitate, and instead recommended building a new bridge. Maine DOT officials said last night they supported turning it into a bike/pedestrian-only bridge and turning the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge into a four-lane bridge, but New Hampshire officials refused to maintain a pedestrian-only bridge.
The full New Hampshire Senate is expected to vote on the $44 million bond, which amends the state's 10-year transportation plan, next week, according to the news site.
Go to the article from SeacoastOnline >>
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