A project is in the works to reopen the long-closed New Harmony Bridge. WNIN’s John Gibson has details:
Officials say U.S. Senator Jim Banks is seeking 25-million dollars in federal funding to repair the bridge that dates back to 1930 and connects New Harmony and White County, Illinois.
Two-and-half million is needed from local and state governments on each side of the Wabash River.
New Harmony Town Council member Rodney Clark went before the Posey County Council Tuesday:
"I have a commitment of $250,000 from the town, I have a private donor that has pledged $250,000. If the county were to do a million, that means we go back to the state and say locally, privately, we've raised more than your share on this. I'd had a hard time imagining that the state would not be able to find a million dollars to get this project done."
The council approved up to one million, and the state of Illinois is reportedly committed to its share.
The repair project would create a single lane for vehicular traffic and a smaller lane for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
The two-lane bridge was forced to close in 2012 when an inspection determined it was not structurally sound.
More: Officials say the work would take two years, create 300 jobs, and have an overall economic impact of $51 million.
They also note the nearly 96-year-old bridge carries a natural gas line and a fiber optic line across the river.
