SHAHEEN CELEBRATES OPENING OF NEW MEMORIAL BRIDGE

(Portsmouth, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined New Hampshire and Maine officials this morning at a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new Memorial Bridge. The new bridge, which serves as the major commercial artery between Maine and New Hampshire, stands to strengthen the economy of both states while improving public safety for all. Shaheen also participated in a ceremonial walk across the bridge from Kittery to Portsmouth.

“The new Memorial Bridge’s opening is great news for New Hampshire and Maine,” said Senator Shaheen. “As the commercial artery between our states, the bridge is critical to the Shipyard, its employees and Seacoast businesses. I am thrilled that we’ve successfully replaced this link between our states with a new, safe bridge for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and I’m proud to have been a part of the bipartisan effort that made today’s opening a reality.”

Along with other members of the New Hampshire and Maine delegation, Senator Shaheen worked to secure $20 million in federal funding to replace the bridge which is vital to both Maine and New Hampshire economies.  The Memorial Bridge first opened in August of 1923 but has been closed since 2011 when construction began on the replacement.