Mass. should take a walk on footbridge plan

There's no doubt the federal government should fund projects that will provide jobs for Massachusetts residents and stimulate the stalled economy, but aren't there more important projects to support than a $9 million footbridge connecting parking lots owned by a billionaire? It is simply unconscionable for the state to be pushing to spend $9 ...

[The Cynic]

Bob, enough already!!! Stay out of the taxpayers pockets. Who, other than Patriots fans, would benefit from this bridge???? If you're short on funds ( which I doubt) put a 50 cent toll on the bridge for the fans to pay and you'll make tens of thousands at every game.

[jotrud]

The letter says it all. Thank you!!

[response]

I urge everyone to contact their local representatives regarding blocking this issue.
The Wheeler Rd/Willard Brook Bridge in Townsend has been closed since March.
The Tyngsboro Bridge has had a "temporary" bridge for YEARS as well as the Rourke Bridge in Lowell.
There are so many other projects that should be looked at prior to this "9 million dollar" foot bridge that would serve Pat's fans for the 10 home games played there.
I can't imagine this meets the criteria of federal stimulus spending.
It certainly won't create any jobs.
Here is a quote from the MA stimulus Czar:
"We’re going to put people back to work building worthwhile projects that will benefit us all in the future.... We will do this with openness, honesty, and professionalism"
Here is a quote from the governor, "Governor Deval Patrick said at the news conference that the decisions on what to fund with the federal stimulus money would be made consistent with rules and after broad consultation, and spending would be targeted on projects that create jobs and long-term economic value."
Mr. Governor, this project does not meet the criteria.

[The Cynic]

Does the Governor think he is playing to the crowd ( Pats fans)???? There are more "sick-and-tired" tax payers that are not smiling at his politicing. Shame on him.

Remember who, what and when at the voting booth next Nov.

[Tony]

Fix and repair the bad bridges we got now. Let the Krafts pay for it. They're loaded.

[Bob]

response wrote:

The Tyngsboro Bridge has had a "temporary" bridge for YEARS as well as the Rourke Bridge in Lowell.

Actually, the temporary bridge in Tyngsboro has been in use just over 4 years. That is still temporary when compared to the Rourke bridge, which was built, I believe, in the mid 1980s. And at least they are (finally) doing work on the Tyngsboro bridge - I doubt anything will happen as far as the Rourke bridge until it falls into the Merrimack!

[townie01887]

VOTE THEM ALL OUT!!!

[KSM]

Build the bridge, charge a toll, and let everyone know when the bridge is paid off. Then we'll send the proceeds to charity.

[Freakinhadit]

Selfish, deep pocketed dem-donor. Grease the palms of the corrupt "legislature" of this swill pit of a state. Kraft has more money in his personal checking account than the state treasury. Let Mr. Kraft build his own bridge to keep the drunken tailgaters out of the traffic on the highway. His enterprizes will be the omly winners in this project, there is a lot more around the WHOLE STATE that needs some work, I'm sure if the nest of miscreants on beacon hill looked far enough, they could surely find SOMETHING that might benefit more people than this.

[Mike]

When asked by congress why massachusetts has not spent the stimulus money, Deval stated "We are taking our time to fund projects that will have the most economic impact over a long period of time"..How does a foot bridge offer economic growth over a long period of time? Furthermore, wasn't the point of the stimulus money quick spending for quick jobs...I vote NO on a bridge at Foxboro...

[The Cynic]

Mike wrote:

When asked by congress why massachusetts has not spent the stimulus money, Deval stated "We are taking our time to fund projects that will have the most economic impact over a long period of time"..How does a foot bridge offer economic growth over a long period of time? Furthermore, wasn't the point of the stimulus money quick spending for quick jobs...I vote NO on a bridge at Foxboro...

I would like to vote NO as well, but sadly our votes aren't recorded in this case. The knuckle-heads that run the state have no concern as to what we want or deem important. They have two buttons, TAX and SPEND. Try to keep your lunch down, this is only the beginning with this pathetic bunch.

[Waste]

Let Kraft spend his own money. He doesn't get enough charge $50 or more to park for the football games.

[Amused]

KSM wrote:

Build the bridge, charge a toll, and let everyone know when the bridge is paid off. Then we'll send the proceeds to charity.

Sure, that worked out so well with the Pike. The tolls were supposed to come down when the bonds that financed the construction were paid off. The bonds were paid off, and the hacks decided they needed to issue new bonds to make improvements. The toll booths were safe for another 20-30 years.

[Maggie]

As some of the others have said, there is the Tyngsboro bridge, the Rourke and the University Ave. Those are far more important than a footbridge for the football fans. Most of us will never make it to a Pat's game so use the money some for something WE will benefit from.

[duh]

Bob wrote:

Actually, the temporary bridge in Tyngsboro has been in use just over 4 years. That is still temporary when compared to the Rourke bridge, which was built, I believe, in the mid 1980s. And at least they are (finally) doing work on the Tyngsboro bridge - I doubt anything will happen as far as the Rourke bridge until it falls into the Merrimack!

What is the deal with the Rourke Bridge? That thing is scary. Was it supposed to be a temporary bridge until a permanent one could be built? I know it's off topic but i was wondering. The thing is 30+ years old. How long is "temporary" for a bridge like that? Ive been on it when there are several school buses whizzing by and it feels like it's going to snap in half.

[The Cynic]

duh wrote:

<quoted text>
What is the deal with the Rourke Bridge? That thing is scary. Was it supposed to be a temporary bridge until a permanent one could be built? I know it's off topic but i was wondering. The thing is 30+ years old. How long is "temporary" for a bridge like that? Ive been on it when there are several school buses whizzing by and it feels like it's going to snap in half.

The permanent temporary Rourke bridge was built in anticipation of the Rt 213/ Rt 3 connector that was to run from Drum Hill, over the Merrimack to Pawtucketville and north thru Dracut to Methuen. The connector plan died as did the permanent bridge. Enjoy the bouncing bridge for the next 50 years!!! Back on ponit, the connector plan, as bad as it was, is still a better use of funds than the Kraft foot bridge.

[duh]

The Cynic wrote:

The permanent temporary Rourke bridge was built in anticipation of the Rt 213/ Rt 3 connector that was to run from Drum Hill, over the Merrimack to Pawtucketville and north thru Dracut to Methuen. The connector plan died as did the permanent bridge. Enjoy the bouncing bridge for the next 50 years!!! Back on ponit, the connector plan, as bad as it was, is still a better use of funds than the Kraft foot bridge.

Thank you. Permanent temporary?

[Traditionator]

duh wrote:

<quoted text>
Thank you. Permanent temporary?

Goofy, but it is what it is!!! Like "government help", an oxymoron.

[Amused]

The Cynic wrote:

<quoted text>
The permanent temporary Rourke bridge was built in anticipation of the Rt 213/ Rt 3 connector that was to run from Drum Hill, over the Merrimack to Pawtucketville and north thru Dracut to Methuen. The connector plan died as did the permanent bridge. Enjoy the bouncing bridge for the next 50 years!!! Back on ponit, the connector plan, as bad as it was, is still a better use of funds than the Kraft foot bridge.

During the depression, we built the Hoover Dam, and the government WPA built hundreds of schools, parks, bridges and highways. Unemployment is approaching the depression era levels, the economy is in a profound recession, and our stimulus is ... a footbridge? There are a lot of projects that would provide both more jobs and more benefit than a footbridge.$14 million could build a school, or maybe even a replacement for the Rourke bridge.

[KSM]

The local perspective:

www.foxbororeporter.com/articles/2009/04/13/n...