You Ask... Portsmouth Patch Answers

Members of the Memorial Bridge Illumination Subcommittee were delighted that now brings them less than a $100,000 closer to their total goal of $200,000.

Since the subcommittee's volunteers began their capital campaign in December, they have enjoyed pretty strong community support from Portsmouth area residents and businesses who want to see LED lighting on the new Memorial Bridge that is scheduled to be completed on July 6.

But one Portsmouth resident named Ray wants to know why the New Hampshire Department of Transportation will not contribute any money for this effort. Here is Ray's question:

I don't understand why the state DOT doesn't contribute any money to help light up the new bridge. They stand to benefit from it when the LED lighting is added so it seems to me they should contribute something. What gives?

Well, Ray. Portsmouth Patch has the answer for you after speaking with New Hampshire Department of Transportation Commissioner Chris Clement at Strawbery Banke Museum on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Clement, the state agency could not agree to provide any taxpayer money for the bridge illumination project because it simply doesn't have the extra funds for such a project. He said the state's Highway Fund, which pays for all of the state's road and bridge maintenance as well as snow removal has not seen an increase in its budget since 1991.

Clement added the state agency has always said that if the subcommittee successfully raises the total $200,000 needed to install the LED lighting and covers the maintenance costs, the state DOT will install the lighting, but that will be the extent of its involvement. Clement also said the fact that so many people in the Portsmouth area are rallying around the bridge illumination project has caught the attention of several states and make him believe that people want to see their transportation infrastructure improved.

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