Richmond Area Business Association

• Stimulus Funding

RICHMOND -- The first wave of Vermont's share of the federal stimulus money will go toward repairs for an 81-year-old bridge that was closed last fall out of safety concerns.

About 6,000 vehicles crossed the bridge in Richmond each day before inspectors found deterioration in the steel supports and closed it temporarily. Without the funding, it could have been years before the bridge was fully repaired, hurting businesses and delaying commuters, officials said.

Click here to read the full story at the Burlington Free Press website

Text version intro of audio from Vermont Public Radio:

(Host) Some of the first federal stimulus money to be spent in Vermont will pay to fix a bridge in Richmond.

Work on the $1.6 million project will start next week, and will be finished by July.

VPR's John Dillon reports:

(Dillon) The rusting steel truss bridge that spans the Winooski River was closed for a time last year. After emergency repairs, it was re-opened with one lane only for safety reasons.

Click here to read the full story and listen to the audio clip (in the menu on the right)