BOSTON (WHDH) — The White House Office of Management and Budget announced Friday that the Trump Administration is pausing $11 billion in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects amid the ongoing government shutdown, including funding for the Cape Cod Bridges. Notably, all of the projects being paused are located in states that did not vote for President Trump.
In response, Governor Maura Healey, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, and Congressman Bill Keating issued a joint statement Friday night. They said, “While we are aware that the White House Office of Management and Budget tweeted that the Trump Administration is pausing $11 billion in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects, we have not received any information from the federal government regarding this action.”
The officials emphasized the importance of the Cape Cod Bridges, calling them federally owned assets that carry millions of travelers each year. “These bridges are essential for the safety of Cape Codders and visitors from across the country and the world,” they stated. “This project is moving forward with funding appropriated by a bipartisan Congress and lawfully awarded by the federal government. Our focus remains on rebuilding both bridges and delivering the safe, reliable transportation infrastructure that our residents, visitors, and businesses deserve.”
Governor Healey and the congressional delegation have secured $1.72 billion in federal funding for the project, which includes $350 million from the USACE. Additionally, the Healey-Driscoll administration has pledged more than $700 million in state funding—double the federal amount—to help rebuild the federally owned Sagamore and Bourne bridges.
The officials also highlighted that the state previously signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Army and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to transfer the $350 million from the USACE to the FHWA, allowing the project to move forward with rebuilding the Sagamore Bridge.
The joint statement underscores the commitment of both state and federal partners to ensure the safety and reliability of these vital transportation links, despite challenges posed by the government shutdown.
https://whdh.com/news/trump-administration-pauses-11-billion-in-usace-projects-including-cape-cod-bridges-amid-shutdown/
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