By News Staff
news@abc6.com
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) - The U.S. government is chipping in more money for the replacement of the Pawtucket River Bridge on Interstate 95 in Rhode Island.
The state's congressional delegation announced an additional $3.3 million in federal funds Tuesday.
The old bridge was built in 1958 to carry 60,000 vehicles per day and now carries more than twice that number. Weight restrictions on the old bridge prohibited large commercial trucks from using it.
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed says the bridge replacement project is important to the regional economy.
The federal government has agreed to pay for 80 percent of the $81 million project.
The new bridge is being built in phases. All traffic is expected to be shifted to the new bridge by the end of the year.
