SUNUNU ANNOUNCES SENATE COMMITTEE SUPPORT FOR TROUBLED BRIDGE IN WEST LEBANON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                CONTACT: BARBARA RILEY

7/19/08                                                                        202-224-2841

                                                                                    LIZ CHAMBERLAIN

                                                                                    603-430-9560

SUNUNU ANNOUNCES SENATE COMMITTEE SUPPORT FOR TROUBLED BRIDGE IN WEST LEBANON

$1 million will support construction of new Route 4 span over the Connecticut River

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator John Sununu (R-NH) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $1 million in federal funding for the replacement of the structurally-deficient Route 4 bridge which connects West Lebanon with White River Junction, Vermont. The funding is included in the fiscal year 2009 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill which is now ready for consideration by the full Senate.  The funding for this project is included within the Committee allocation set out for the fiscal year 2009 spending measures.   

Sununu stated,“In light of the news that transportation officials will ban heavy truck traffic from the Route 4 bridge between Lebanon and White River Junction, I am pleased that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $1 million in federal funding for the replacement of the structurally-deficient span, which is currently on the State of New Hampshire’s ‘Red List.’   This funding approval represents a critical first step in the process of addressing this serious safety issue.”

            “We certainly appreciate the efforts of Senator Sununu in obtaining necessary funding to address safety issues and maintain this important connection between White River Junction and West Lebanon,” said Gregg Mandsager, the Lebanon City Manager.  “This funding will enable the design and construction of a new Connecticut River bridge by 2010.”

Stated Executive Councilor Ray Burton,“I am delighted to see Senator Sununu is paying attention to the infrastructure needs of New Hampshire and I hope the U.S. Congress will go along with it.”