Sen. Jeanne Shaheen stood at the foot of Memorial Bridge last October to joyfully announce that New Hampshire would receive a $20 million federal grant to replace the aging structure. She returned to the site on March 14 to address concerns over proposed budget cuts that could jeopardize those funds.

Shaheen stood beneath the bridge at 1 Harbour Place in Portsmouth and vowed to fight to have the TIGER II bridge funding restored to the national budget. She said the bridge, which spans the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine, is vital to the local economy and public safety. 

“I will continue my fight to see that Memorial Bridge funding is included in the final spending bill,” Shaheen said. 

A bill that recently passed the U.S. House would cut more than $60 billion in spending, including the $20 million bridge grant. New Hampshire’s two Congressmen, Frank Guinta and Charlie Bass, both voted in support of the bill.

“These reckless cuts would have damaging effects on our economy and our workforce,” Shaheen said.

She was joined by Portsmouth Mayor Tom Ferrini, local restaurant owner Jay McSharry, and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employee Paul O’Connor, president of the Metal Trades Council. They spoke about the economic impact of past closures that temporarily shut down the bridge for repairs.

“This is anything but a road to nowhere,” Ferrini said. “When this bridge is closed, we see a downturn in business on either side of the river.” 

McSharry, owner of Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe and other restaurants, confirmed that assessment. He said business at his establishments drops by 20 percent when the bridge is closed, forcing him to lay off employees.

O’Connor noted that the bridge provides transportation for the shipyard’s emergency vehicles, which respond to emergencies in Portsmouth and Kittery. He added that many shipyard workers commute over the bridge, and that it serves as a memorial to World War I veterans from New Hampshire and Maine.

Shaheen said she is working with Maine’s Congressional delegation to restore the bridge replacement funds. Although the national debt is a top priority, cutting funds for projects that create jobs and benefit the economy is shortsighted, she said.

“It’s critical that we see a budget coming out of the House that includes the funding that was promised for this bridge,” she said.