Calling it the fruit of a bi-partisan push, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson on Wednesday applauded the inclusion of Everglades projects into the federal budget.
Specifically, lawmakers approved funding for 5.5 miles of additional bridges along the Tamiami Trail, which will elevate portions of the trans-glades route to allow more natural water flow into Everglades National Park.
The federal spending bill totaled $142 million, including $96.9 million for clean-up projects in the region and another $45.6 million for the Kissimmee River restoration.
“This has been a pretty rough year for bipartisanship in Washington on many levels,” said Kirk Fordham, CEO of the Everglades Foundation. “The Everglades is really a shining star in terms of a policy area where we continue to see bipartisan support.”
