State not upset with denial of $12 million for rebuilding I-40 bridge

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- State officials aren't worried that President Bush blocked a 12 million dollar bill slated to pay for construction of the Interstate 40 bridge. <br><br>Transportation department

Thursday, August 15th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- State officials aren't worried that President Bush blocked a 12 million dollar bill slated to pay for construction of the Interstate 40 bridge.

Transportation department officials say the move may be a blessing in disguise for Oklahoma.

The federal emergency spending package was part of a five-point-one billion dollar bill Bush blocked.

Transportation comptroller Mike Patterson says since the state has to ask for the money again, they'll ask for more.

Patterson says they'll ask for 27 million dollars this time to cover the unexpected costs involved with the bridge repair.