Tuesday, July 7, 2009 — As a rule we don’t try to compete in the realm of breaking news, but we’d be fools not to run this dispatch from Ben Porter, at Save Our Bridges!

We received good news today. At a meeting of the Joint Transportation Committee in Augusta, Maine DOT announced the projects that have been selected for possible stimulus funding.

The project to repair the Memorial and Sarah Mildred Long Bridges was one of three projects selected for Stimulus Funding. The selection still needs to be signed off by Governor Baldacci. At that point, Maine and NH will jointly develop a proposal for funding that will be submitted to the US DOT by September 15.

US DOT will make its decision concerning funding no later than February of next year.

Thanks to all of you for your interest in the project, your participation in surveys, signatures on the petitions (more than 800), letters and emails to Augusta. They have all made a significant difference for the bridges.

Now we need to turn our attention to the next phase of the process. This will be focused on Washington, DC. The good news is that we will have two congressional delegations supporting our projects. We may need another outpouring of support for the project. We will be meeting in the next few weeks, and will let you know how you can help.

Again, thanks for your support and for your help. Now lets focus on getting the final decision.

Ben Porter
Save Our Bridges!
www.SeacoastBridges.com
A Coalition of Seacoast Local, Portsmouth Historical Soc., Seacoast for Change Grassroots Network,Kittery Business Association, York County Chamber of Commerce, KEYS, Am. Legion Booma Post, and others