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New Minneapolis Bridge Construction Ahead of Schedule & On Budget, Many Challenges Remain for America’s Highway & Bridge Network, ARTBA Executive Says At Minnesota News Event Federal Data Show 1,579 Minn. Bridges Structurally Deficient or Functionally Obsolete
Washington, D.C. [July 31, 2008]— The good news emerging from the tragedy of the August 2007 Minnesota bridge collapse is a new I-35W replacement span that is being designed and built in a little more than a year, and is ahead of schedule and on budget. It serves as a model of what the public and private sectors can accomplish working together on behalf of the general public to efficiently and quickly deliver the benefits of transportation investment. Yet much work remains to be done in shoring up an aging infrastructure network across the country. These were among the key messages delivered by American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Vice President Larry Russell at a July 31 Minneapolis news conference with other transportation leaders to mark the one-year anniversary of the bridge collapse and discuss overall conditions of the nation’s surface transportation network. Russell cited Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data showing that 152,316, or 25 percent, of U.S. bridges are “structurally deficient” or “functionally obsolete” in 2007. Nearly 1,600 of Minnesota’s 13,000 bridges fall into these categories, FHWA says. “National problems require solutions that are led by the federal government,” Russell said. With the next multi-year federal transportation investment bill scheduled for debate in 2009, he said Congress and the new president “have an unprecedented opportunity to restructure and reform the federal surface transportation programs, and significantly boost investment in highways and bridges.” Russell noted, “It will not be an easy task and will require political will, but it can be done. The American motoring public and business community deserve nothing less than an efficient and safe travel network.” More immediately, however, Russell said Congress must take steps this year to address the federal Highway Trust Fund’s solvency. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation—H.R. 6532—that would help avert a 34 percent cut in highway and bridge funding to all 50 states on October 1, and the loss of 486,000 American jobs. H.R. 6532 would prevent a $143 million cut in highway and bridge funding for Minnesota, and help preserve nearly 5,000 Minnesota jobs. The bill is pending on the Senate. “We urge the Senate to act expeditiously and pass the legislation as soon as possible,” Russell said. Other transportation leaders joining Russell at the event, included: Dave Semerad, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota; Steve Sandherr, chief executive officer, Associated General Contractors of America; Janet Kavinoky, executive director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s American’s for Transportation Mobility coalition; and Jack Schenendorf, National Surface Transportation Policy & Revenue Study Commission vice chairman. Established in 1902, ARTBA represents the U.S. transportation design and construction industry before Congress, the Executive Branch, federal agencies, news media and general public. Learn more at www.artba.org.
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