As local governments look forward to the touted benefits of having the Northern Neck Heritage federal designation, Kilmarnock plans to ask the state to pick up the pace on the Norris Bridge replacement project.
The designation is “a significant economic development and tourist implication for the region,” Kilmarnock Councilwoman Kylie Abbott noted Monday night.
Abbott, who is chair of Kilmarnock’s Economic Development Committee, explained that during that committee’s meeting, Mayor Shawn Donahue suggested that Town Council send a letter to the congressional delegation to encourage the replacement of the Norris Bridge occur sooner than is outlined in VDOT’s 30-year plan.
Before the Kilmarnock Councilmembers considered the Mayor’s recommendation, Donahue and town manager Susan Cockrell noted that getting a jumpstart on the bridge has support from state legislators.
Senator Ryan McDougle made a budget amendment request Monday, they said, that requests $4 million be added to FY 24 budget to start construction on the bridge replacement project.
Cockrell explained that the budget amendment request specifies the 4 million should be additional money, and that no reduction should be made to the $30 million that is slated for the bridge under VDOT long-term. McDougle is seeking additional to get an early start.
“I think that’s positive news, and furthers the cause,” said Cockrell.
Donahue said it was brought to his attention that Delegate Margaret Ransone is also in support of moving McDougle’s request ahead.
“For us to write a letter of recommendation can only help the cause,” he added.
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