Washington - Senator Evan Bayh praised today's groundbreaking of the new Milton-Madison Bridge, linking Madison, Indiana and Milton, Kentucky.  The project, which received $20 million in construction funding though the Department of Transportation, will replace the 80-year old, structurally deficient bridge. 

"Today's groundbreaking is an important step in the revitalization of Southern Indiana," Bayh said.  "A new Milton-Madison Bridge is a much-needed and smart investment in Southern Indiana's infrastructure that will support the local economy and make the bridge safer for motorists.  With the increase in commercial traffic we can expect after the new bridge is completed, this project will help the Madison area attract new businesses and good-paying jobs." 

The Milton-Madison Bridge carries US 421 over the Ohio River and serves as a crucial artery for commercial vehicles.  Due to its state of disrepair, a 15-ton weight limit was placed on the current bridge, severely limiting the flow of traffic in and out of Madison. 

Indiana and Kentucky received the $20 million for the new bridge through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grant program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

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