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We're Headed for Another Bridge Disaster

Spans need fixing, but Congress dithers

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 20, 2010 6:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – Some not-so-fun facts to ponder on your next drive: More than 151,000 of the nation's bridges—that's about 25%—are deemed structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, writes blogger Dr. Denny at Scholars and Rogues. It's true that the number is decreasing, but only incrementally. "At this rate, America will have no unsafe or obsolete bridges in only 153 years," he writes.

Seems like this should be a slam dunk: Bridges need fixing, people need jobs, and the economy needs a bump. But legislation to provide money for bridge repairs is stuck in congressional limbo, and the White House doesn't seem all that jazzed by the subject. "Shall we wait for another I-35W collapse to motivate Congress to act on the nation’s bridges? That produced media coverage galore and plenty of presidential rhetoric," but that's about all. Our infrastructure is in serious trouble, and "the bill is due."

Vehicles are stopped atop the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis in 2007.
Vehicles are stopped atop the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis in 2007.   (AP Photo/Jacob Reynolds, FILE)
An official surveys the damaged Interstate 35W bridge on Aug. 2, 2007, in Minneapolis.
An official surveys the damaged Interstate 35W bridge on Aug. 2, 2007, in Minneapolis.   (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
In this 2007 file photo, investigators examine the collapsed Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis.
In this 2007 file photo, investigators examine the collapsed Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone,file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 34 comments
JMWinfield
Jul 23, 2010 1:53 PM CDT
According to the most recent ASCE Infrastructure Report Card, it will take 2.2 Trillion USD invested into the infrastructure over the next five years to receive an acceptable grade of B-.
Snowleopard
Jul 21, 2010 12:44 PM CDT
less regulation and more tax-cuts will fix it!
beckjr2000
Jul 21, 2010 9:42 AM CDT
Here are thousands of "shovel ready project" that truly need to be done as soon as possible! Why are they not being done? If the Administration and Democrats think their poll numbers are bad now just wait until another bridge collapses and someone dies!

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