Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joins Secretary at Portsmouth-Kittery Bridge to announce $20 million for its replacement

Today Congreswoman Chellie Pingree joined Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and New Hampshire and Maine Congressional Delegations at Memorial Bridge to formally announce $20 million to help replace this vital link between Kittery and Portsmouth.

“I think the fact that the Secretary chose to come here himself is really a testament to the importance of this project to the entire region,” said Pingree. “This is an extremely competitive grant and we received it because this piece of infrastructure is critical to protecting jobs in the area and holding our communities together. I am really pleased with the way the delegations, officials, and groups in both states have worked together to effectively communicate that message and make this project a priority.”

Among other efforts to support replacing Memorial Bridge, Pingree held a meeting in July to get feedback from business owners and community leaders in Kittery on moving the project forward and signed on to a grant support letter along with the other members of Maine and New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegations.

In recent weeks, Pingree has made multiple calls to Secretary LaHood to communicate the need for funding, to urge his support, and pass on comments from constituents.

“I’m glad I had the chance to talk to the Secretary personally and discuss with him how important this bridge is to community members and businesses in the area,” said Pingree. “With all the people coming out to celebrate winning this grant today, he was able to see that support firsthand. It was a really powerful moment and I’m honored to be a part of it.”