BOSTON -- The state's plan to pour $9 million in federal stimulus funds into a footbridge project at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough has raised eyebrows as many ask why the team and its owner can't foot the bill for the project.

If you have ever attended a Patriots game at the stadium, you know that walking from the parking lot to the stadium means crossing over Route 1. It always causes traffic back-ups and the journey can be perilous.

The solution on the table is to build a footbridge, but the question of who's paying for it is raising eyebrows.

The footbridge would be a publicly funded footbridge connecting two privately owned properties, but the cash will come from federal stimulus money.

Since both of the properties belong to Patriots owner Robert Kraft, critics are questioning why he can't foot the bridge bill himself.

In a statement, the Kraft group said it "supports the state's long term economic growth initiatives and is proud to have created thousands of jobs."

Construction on the footbridge could begin as early as next spring.