Federal funding freeze could impact $500 million grant to fix I-83 bridge
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – The $500 million from Washington, D.C., to help repair the John Harris Memorial Bridge, which connects Harrisburg to the West Shore, could be in limbo as the Trump Administration weighs major pauses in federal funding.
'Funds that were discretionary awards that haven't been obligated are sort of in question right now,' Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Michael Carroll said. 'My suspicion is that the Federal Highway Administration and the Trump Administration could pick and choose which ones they advance and which ones they don't.'
The half-a-billion federal dollars announced through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act under Former President Joe Biden, would allow repairs to begin in 2026. Currently, the John Harris Memorial Bridge is listed in 'poor' condition, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
'I don't think there should be any concern,' Republican State Rep. Jim Struzzi of Indiana County said. 'I think they're merely taking a look at the grant process and how these grants are being used, which I think is important.'
Struzzi, the Minority Chair for the House Appropriations Committee, works alongside Majority Chair Democratic Rep. Jordan Harris, who represents Philadelphia County. Both listened to Secretary Carroll discuss potential funding downfalls at a budget hearing on Wednesday.
'The bottom line is if the money doesn't arrive or the money is frozen, that would be a tremendous loss to the Commonwealth that we just can't make up,' Harris said.
Over 125,000 cars cross the bridge daily. Secretary Carroll said that if federal funding does not come through, the bridge will still need to be repaired.
'We will do that,' Carroll said. 'It has to happen, and it will.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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