Gov. Patrick plans to use stimulus money for Foxboro footbridge

FOXBORO, Mass. - Millions of federal stimulus dollars are being put aside for a planned footbridge in Foxboro.

Governor Deval Patrick wants to spend $9 million from federal stimulus funds on a footbridge connecting parking lots on one side of Route 1 to Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium. Although many people are questioning if this is the best use of stimulus money, Governor Patrick says that it will create jobs and boost the economy in the area.

"This is a bridge to a million and a half square feet of fully permitted commercial space, 4,000 permanent jobs, 4,500 commercial jobs, it's exactly how stimulus money should be used and it's one of among thousands of projects like it that will stimulate and are already stimulating growth in the Commonwealth," says Governor Patrick.

Others say that this is a bridge to nowhere.

"This government has done nothing to help the small businessmen, nothing," says a small business owner.

The state has a very detailed procedure they go through to figure out exactly where to spend the stimulus money.

State officials reportedly bypassed other projects in favor of the footbridge including roadwork in towns such as Danvers, Canton, and Braintree.

(Copyright (c) 2009 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

MORE FROM WHDH-TV

WHDH-TV Section Front

Brockton football players caught with alcohol suspended   Police involved in standoff at Swansea home   City of Boston holds Thanksgiving dinner at TD Garden   Worker accused of assaulting teen inside dept. store   Traffic building as holiday travel season kicks off WHDH-TV Section Front   Add WHDH-TV headlines to your news reader: