McConnell & Chandler Visit Blue Grass Army Depot

Thursday, 21 August 2008 20:56

A tour of the Bluegrass Army Depot had a Bipartisan flavor today.

Democratic Congressman Ben Chandler and Republican Senator Mitch McConnell took a look at the progress being made at building a munitions disposal building, which will eventually get rid of the 523 tons of chemical weapons stored at the Depot.

After the project was delayed several times due to budget cuts, the Pentagon currently estimates the project won't be completed until 2023. However, McConnell and Chandler say that's unacceptable.

"If we'd left it up to the Pentagon, we wouldn't have anything out there," McConnell said. "It's not up to them."

Congress issued a deadline for the weapons to be destroyed by 2017. McConnell and Chandler believe after their visit today that deadline is possible with accelerated funding.

Construction of the new site has begun next to the Depot. Once finished, the new building could employ up to 800 employees during the weapons disposal phase.