By TIM HAECK
KIRO Radio

Businesses in South Park hope they can hold on long enough to see completion of a new South Park Bridge.

On Friday, local politicians announced a federal grant of $34 million, money which completes the funding for the $131 million bridge replacement project.

King County Executive Dow Constantine says the federal government came through because of widespread community support and multiple funding sources for a crucial project.

"This project is shovel ready, right now, we'll be putting people to work right away and we're gong to help not only South Park, but the economy of the entire state," Constantine said.

Julia Ramos, at Jalisco Mexican Restaurant, just steps from the barricaded old bridge, said business is down and she hopes she's still around when the new bridge opens in three years.

"We hope, we still have the hope we can survive but we don't know," Ramos said.

Community leader Dagmar Cronn said the community is pulling together in support of local business.

"We in South Park have pledged to do business in South Park to the utmost of our financial capabilities to keep these businesses open," Cronn said.

Before the federal transportation grant, several government agencies pledged funding for the bridge replacement, including $30 million from King County, $20 million from the state, and $15 million each from the city of Seattle and the Puget Sound Regional Council.

If all goes as planned, a new bridge could open by 20-13.