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West Philadelphia's 40th St. Bridge To Be Rebuilt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A 90-year-old bridge linking two West Philadelphia neighborhoods is getting a rebuilt, thanks to funding from the state and federal government.

The 40th Street bridge used to connect the city's Mantua neighborhood to East Parkside, but it's been closed since 2007.

At a groundbreaking ceremony today for the bridge reconstruction project, Mayor Michael Nutter (right) said the city couldn't afford to fix it without lots of help.

"This is an 11.76-million-dollar project cost.  Eighty percent from the federal government, 15 percent from the state, five percent from the city," the mayor said.

The city's portion comes out to about $600,000.

Mantua community leader Bettye Fergueson says it's about time.

"There's a community center right at the base of the bridge, and the seniors that are members have to literally go all the way around," she says.

The mayor says the work on the 40 Street bridge should be done in December 2012 -- then work will begin on the 41st Street bridge.

Reported by Mike Dougherty, KYW Newsradio 1060

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