Wilson Bridge Deadlock Broken; National DUI Rules Endorsed on Hill
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Though Congress has given the green light for dredging and foundation work this fall, the bulk of construction has been held hostage to the dispute over financing. The debate over how to divide the costs between federal and state coffers, which could potentially leave Maryland and Virginia together paying up to $1 billion, reflects the bridge’s double duty as a vital link for East Coast commercial traffic and a crucial connection for commuters. “I am elated that we were able to secure these much-needed funds for the most important transportation project on the Eastern seaboard,” Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) said at a news conference attended by all four Virginia and Maryland U.S. senators and six House members from the region. Proponents say the new standard would reduce the incidence of drunken driving and would save an estimated 500 lives a year. Nineteen states have adopted the 0.08 limit, while other states have imposed a less stringent standard or none at all. Virginia and the District adopted the 0.08 limit; Maryland has a 0.10 standard. |