The U.S. Senate has approved a $1 billion measure to aid the nation's crumbling bridges. The bridge problem was brought into the spotlight when a Mississippi River bridge near downtown Minneapolis collapsed during the rush hour. The $1 billion will barely scratch the surface of the $65 billion that is needed to repair damaged infrastructure to brdiges nationwide according to an MSNBC news story.
The Senate approved the funds on a 60-33 vote as the Senate began debate on a $104.6 billion measure funding transportation and housing programs for the budget year beginning Oct. 1.
"Our bridges are deteriorating far faster than we can finance their replacement," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., lead sponsor of the bridge-repair funds. "More than one in every four bridges on U.S. highways is rated as deficient."
The article says a Democratic bill would augment the spending on bridge repair and replacement by 20% but President Bill is threatening to veto the bill.
The underlying bill faces a veto threat from President Bush, however, for exceeding his request by $4.4 billion.
"Fully 27 percent of our 600,000 bridges have aged so much that their physical condition or their ability to withstand current traffic levels is simply inadequate," Murray said. "Roughly half of these deficient bridges - or about 78,000 bridges across the nation - are structurally deficient."
Under the Bush Administration it appears that the U.S. roads and highways are being completely overlooked and allowed to deteriorate. You can view an interactive map of the numerous U.S. bridges rated as "structurally deficient" or "obsolete" here.
