RICHMOND, KY -- Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has announced Senate approval of a resolution containing $30 million earmarked by McConnell for the Bluegrass Army Depot in Richmond, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader in its Sunday edition.

The legislation awaits President Bush's signature. The measure brings funding for the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program at the depot to a total of $430 million, reports the Herald-Leader.

McConnell said in a news release, "This funding will help ensure that the Department of Defense complies with the 2017 deadline for the safe disposal of the chemical weapons stockpiled at the Bluegrass Army Depot."

Congress also has approved $12 million for the widening of U. S. 25 South from the Eastern Kentucky University bypass to the KY 421 split, reports the newspaper.

The federal money will be about 30 percent of the total cost; the state legislature has already allocated the rest of the funds, the newspaper reports.

Madison County Judge Executive Ken Clark, in a news release, said he's pleased that McConnell succeeded in securing the funds, which will provide better access to the industrial park and improved evacuation capabilities, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader.

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