Bridge Safety Legislation Introd

Bridge Safety Legislation Introduced Back

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved allocation of $2 billion to identify and rehabilitate structurally deficient bridges across the United States and reform bridge management practices. The allocation is contained in HR 3999 which was approved by the T&I Committee on November 1.

"Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) understands the importance of the nation’s infrastructure," said American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves. "There are very real safety and economic consequences from failing to adequately maintain and improve the system. ATA and its members are pleased to support efforts that address the vulnerabilities of the nation’s infrastructure."

Oberstar offered the legislation, co-sponsored by Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), in response to the deadly collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis in August.

The legislation would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to identify all structurally deficient federally funded bridges. They would be authorized to prioritize replacement or rehabilitation needs and costs. States would report inspection results every two years. Training programs would add certification requirements. States would be prevented from deferring bridge rehabilitation funds to other projects unless they can show an absence of structurally deficient bridges.

With the stake the transportation industry has in safe highways and bridges, this legislation is welcome and long overdue.