porkbustersnewsm.jpgPORKBUSTERS UPDATE: Well, I think that this counts as a win:

The state of Alaska on Friday officially abandoned the “bridge to nowhere” project that became a nationwide symbol of federal pork-barrel spending.

The $398 million bridge would have connected Ketchikan, on one island in southeastern Alaska, to its airport on another nearby island.

“Ketchikan desires a better way to reach the airport, but the $398 million bridge is not the answer,” Gov. Sarah Palin said in a statement.

She directed the state transportation department to find the most “fiscally responsible” alternative for access to the airport.

Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young championed the project through Congress two years ago, securing more than $200 million for the bridge between Ketchikan, on Revillagigedo Island, and Gravina Island.

You don’t see this kind of thing very often. But let’s hope that’s changing.