NH’s Shaheen introduces bridge funding bill

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has introduced a bill to increase funding for bridge repairs.

She says in New Hampshire alone, 15 percent of the state’s 2,429 bridges are considered structurally deficient and more than 18 percent are considered functionally obsolete. That’s nearly one-third of the state’s bridges.

Nationally, one-quarter of all bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, as determined by Federal Highway Administration standards.

Shaheen says the SAFE Bridges Act would increase the amount of funds the federal government dedicates to states for bridge repair by 50 percent to $5.5 billion over two years. A similar measure has been introduced in the House.

“The condition of our bridges is unacceptable,” Shaheen said. “Bridges in need of repair or unable to sustain the weight of heavy trucks and emergency vehicles impact jobs and the economy and put public safety at risk. My plan will help repair and replace New Hampshire bridges that are currently substandard and at the same time put Granite Staters to work.”