SAINT JOHN, N.B. – Saint John MP Rodney Weston remains optimistic despite the lack of a deal between the federal and provincial governments for future funding for the Harbour Bridge.

Weston points out Premier Graham and Prime Minister Stephen Harper discussed the issue recently during the prime minister’s visit to Moncton.

” Certainly it does remain front-and-centre for me as a member of parliament,” he said. “It’s an issue that I think we’ve made a lot of progress on, and I think it’s something that we’re that close.”

The federal government is offering to forgive the bridge’s debt as well as pay for half of the current maintenance project.

The province is also looking for the feds to cover half the cost of future maintenance.