Aging bridge gets money for repairs

CROSSVILLE, Ill. -- An aging bridge in Southern Illinois is getting quite a Christmas present -- $120,000.

Two Illinois lawmakers, Sen. Bill O'Daniel, D-Mount Vernon, and Rep. Chuck Hartke, D-Effingham, say they have gotten money to help pay for maintenance of the New Harmony Bridge across the Wabash River. It was scheduled to close Dec. 30 because local officials no longer could afford to maintain it. The bridge links Crossville with New Harmony, Ind. Neither state wanted to take over the bridge because of its condition.