By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis – Southern Illinois Congressman Jerry Costello says he's frustrated with the lack of progress on a new Mississippi River bridge, and he's reminding leaders that federal money for the bridge can go away.
The impasse has been over how to pay the rest of the costs that the feds won't cover.
The Belleville News-Democrat reported last week that Costello told Missouri officials that the $239 million he scored for the bridge can go away. He says that should not be interpreted as a threat but rather a reminder.
"When there are other projects around the nation that have been engineered and ready to go but they lack the funds, it would be very unfair to just let the money sit there," Costello said in an interview with KWMU.
Costello's words carry more weight now that his party will soon control Congress. He'll likely head a transportation subcommittee on aviation. But he'll also be one of the most senior members of the full transportation committee. That's where he secured the federal money for a the bridge.
"There are $239 million earmarked for this project and if the project's not going to happen, then it makes no sense to let the money sit there when there are other projects that are ready to go," Costello said.
Costello said he hopes a study being done now will break the impasse. That study aims to find solutions for funding, and is due in January.