New Harmony Bridge funds face another uncertain lag

By Lois Mittino Gray

All is not lost for getting possible federal funding to repair the New Harmony Bridge, things just may be delayed for a little while now, according to Rod Clark, Chairperson of the New Harmony-Wabash River Bridge Authority.

“There is still a positive movement on the repairs. U.S. Senator Jim Banks continues to be really involved and introduced a funding proposal in the Senate for 25-million dollars in federal funding. Senate bills, such as this one, are usually addressed in September. Since Mitch McConnell was sick and Senator Lindsey Graham died, things like this were delayed. It is teed up to be scheduled for next spring,” Clark said with an upbeat attitude.

“We still have a long way to go. That bill has got to pass, but it looks positive right now. Of course, this recent midterm election may have a bearing on everything. We just don’t know the outcome. There is some momentum though.”

The two-lane bridge was constructed in 1930 and connects New Harmony and White County, Illinois. It was forced to close in 2012 when an inspection determined it was not structurally sound. The repair project would create a single lane for vehicular traffic and a smaller lane for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The 96-year-old bridge carries a natural gas line and a fiber optic line across the river, too.

Officials say to repair the bridge, in addition to the federal funds, two-and-a half million is needed from local and state governments on each side of the Wabash River. The state of Illinois has committed to its share of local/state matching funds.

Clark, who is also a New Harmony Town Council member, went before the Posey County Council in June to ask for a funding commitment. The Council approved up to one million dollars. In addition to the Posey County Council’s $1 million pledge, the town of New Harmony has committed $250,000 and a private donor pledged $250,000.

Officials say the work would take two years, create 300 jobs, and have an overall economic impact of $51 million. Local businesses took an economic downturn when the bridge closed, and the area was greatly affected so things may be ‘looking up’.