WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt
(Mo.) commended the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for awarding a
nearly $29 million grant to replace the MacArthur Bridge’s main span girders.
Funding for the Consolidated Railroad Safety and Infrastructure Grant was
included in the Blunt-backed fiscal year 2018 government funding bill.
“The MacArthur Bridge carries
thousands of passengers and millions of tons of freight every year, making it
a central part of our nation’s infrastructure network,” said Blunt. “Replacing
the main span girders will increase the bridge’s safety and reliability, and
extend its life for decades to come. I appreciate the Department of
Transportation for investing additional resources toward the completion of
this project, which will put our state in an even better position to take
advantage of the great economic opportunities that lie ahead.”
Replacing the century-old girder
system will improve the safety and reliability of the bridge, and bring it up
to current rail standards. Earlier this year, Blunt
announced that DOT will award a $7.17 million grant to replace the MacArthur Bridge
truss over Broadway Street in St. Louis. According to the Terminal Railroad
Association of St. Louis, the two projects will extend the life of the bridge
to approximately 2085.
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