Shaheen Visits NH’s Top Ranked Red List Bridge & Highlights NH Priorities in Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

(Hampton, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) visited the Neil R. Underwood Bridge that crosses the Hampton River – the number one red-listed bridge in New Hampshire – to discuss how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the historic bipartisan infrastructure bill Shaheen helped negotiate, will invest in repairing and replacing crumbling infrastructure across the state. Constructed in 1949, the bridge is in poor condition and has required emergency repairs as recently as 2018. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was passed by the Senate in August and now faces consideration by the House of Representatives. 

“Granite Staters should never have to question their personal safety when they cross bridges or drive down roads in their communities to get to and from work or bring their kids to school. Unfortunately that’s not the case. It’s unacceptable that crumbling infrastructure persists across the nation,” said Shaheen. “That’s why I led negotiations to deliver a once-in-a-generation investment in local infrastructure – ensuring resources are delivered to fix red list bridges like the Neil R. Underwood Bridge. Today’s visit reiterated why we must pass this bipartisan infrastructure legislation. I’ll continue working across the aisle in Congress to ensure this package crosses the finish line, so every road and bridge across our state is safe and reliable.” 

Senator Shaheen has long fought to bring federal dollars back to New Hampshire to invest in critical transportation and infrastructure projects to fix Granite State roads, rail, bridges and ports. Shaheen was a lead negotiator of the infrastructure package that recently passed the Senate, steering bipartisan talks around the $550 billion investment in our nation’s core infrastructure priorities – including roads and bridges, rail, transit, ports, airports, the electric grid, water systems and broadband. In June, Shaheen joined President Biden and a bipartisan group of 10 senators to announce the framework of the package, and later joined the bipartisan group on the Senate floor to unveil the bill text of the legislation.  

The bipartisan infrastructure bill included Shaheen’s legislation that would establish a marketplace for the sale and purchase of toll credits, which are accrued when states use toll revenues to invest in transportation projects that benefit the interstate system. Shaheen’s bill would allow states like New Hampshire to sell their excess toll credits to other states on this marketplace to bring in new revenue. At Shaheen’s urging, the infrastructure package also provides additional funding for small and rural states like New Hampshire to replace and repair bridges through new, dedicated grant programs. Earlier this year, Shaheen reintroduced legislation, the Strengthen and Fortify Existing (SAFE) Bridges Act, to address structurally deficient bridges across the country. 

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