The Trenton Times published the following article on August 28, 2014. To read the full article, click here.
With closed Mercer bridge as backdrop, Sen. Sweeney calls for transportation trust fund replenishment
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on August 28, 2014 at 3:42 PM, updated August 28, 2014 at 9:58 PMMERCER — The 92-year-old bridge spanning the Assunpink Creek between Trenton and Hamilton has been closed to traffic for the last year and a half after it was deemed too dangerous for cars.
Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes said the county is fortunate to have secured federal dollars to fund the $2.5 million repair of the bridge, which is set to begin next year. Many other bridges in the county are in need of repair, he said, but because the state has been unable to provide assistance, the county has instead considered lowering weight limits.
“If we did not get money from the (federal government) this bridge would have to stay closed, literally, forever,” Hughes said during a press conference with Senate President Stephen Sweeney.
Sweeney stopped at the bridge this afternoon as part of a statewide tour of crumbling bridges and to speak about the need to fund the state’s transportation trust fund.