Press Releases

Today, U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) responded to State Senator Plale and State Representative Sinicki’s letter they sent her yesterday regarding identifying sources of funding to help repair and maintain the Hoan Bridge. In her letter, Moore identified a grant program as well as additional Federal resources that could help finance repairs.

The full text of Congresswoman Moore’s letter follows:

July 8, 2010

Dear State Senator Plale and State Representative Sinicki:

Thank you for your letter yesterday to find additional Federal funds to fix the Hoan Bridge. I completely agree with you that we need to fix the bridge, which is a vital connector in our communities.

We can all agree that the bridge needs to be safe. It needs to be repaired. It needs to be maintained. That’s the bottom line. And I am as committed as anyone to making sure that it can safely meet the needs of our communities for years to come.

You suggested that funding headed to Wisconsin to build high-speed rail be diverted and instead used to repair the bridge. That’s just not possible. If Wisconsin does not use that funding as the state requested in an application, the funding goes back to the Federal Railroad Administration and will be used to complete a high-speed rail project in another state.

Members of my staff have been in contact with representatives at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation regarding a grant program that the city and state could potentially use to help fix the Hoan Bridge. Pre-applications for the TIGER II grant program are due by July 16, 2010.  I have enclosed a summary and background information on those grants and the application process.

Additionally, it has come to my attention, that the Federal Highway Administration has recently informed the state that it will receive more than $743 million dollars in Fiscal Year 2010. It’s my understanding that this about $100 million more than the state expected to receive. And as you know, it is up to you and other officials in Madison to decide how to direct this additional federal funding.

The U.S. House of Representatives will have to consider the surface transportation reauthorization bill in the near future. I stand ready to work with you and any one else to work to include authorization for the Hoan Bridge in this bill.

I appreciate your advocacy for this important bridge and the safety of the people who use it.

Sincerely,

Gwen Moore

Member of Congress