Maryland Highway Contractor Highlights Nation's Bridge Needs at Congressional Hearing
Posted on: Thursday, 6 September 2007, 12:06 CDT
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Repairing the structurally deficient bridges on the National Highway System (NHS) would be a first critical step toward a more comprehensive program to improve the nation's surface transportation network, American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Vice Chairman Bill Cox told the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee September 5.
Cox, who is president of Corman Construction, based in Annapolis Junction, Md., appeared at a hearing called to address national bridge needs in the wake of the August 1 Interstate 35-West bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minn. T&I Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) plans to introduce legislation aimed at improving the bridge inspection program and eliminating structurally deficient NHS bridges. The Oberstar initiative would be funded with a new dedicated revenue stream segregated from the current highway program that would sunset in three years.
"The Minnesota bridge tragedy demonstrates the significant public safety threat that exists from delaying repairs to aging bridges," Cox said. "The U.S. is suffering not just from a bridge crisis, but from a systemic transportation crisis. We need to dramatically upgrade the nation's bridges, roadways, public transportation facilities, rail lines and airport infrastructure. It will take strong federal, state, and local leadership."
Policymakers should keep all revenue options on the table as they address the nation's many transportation challenges, Cox said. "The foundation of any successful transportation financing structure must continue to be the federal motor fuels tax. Public-private partnerships, innovative financing, tolling, and new user fees are all part of the solution."
ARTBA believes a targeted proposal to rehabilitate NHS bridges is necessary to address the immediate public safety threat neglected bridges represent. "The Oberstar bridge plan would provide the quantifiable results and accountability the American people demand and deserve," Cox said.
Established in 1902, ARTBA, found online at http://www.artba.org/, represents the U.S. transportation design and construction industry in the Nation's Capital.
Editors Note: ARTBA's testimony can be found in the "government affairs" section of http://www.artba.org/.
American Road & Transportation Builders Association
CONTACT: Jeff Solsby of the American Road & Transportation BuildersAssociation, +1-202-289-4434
Web Site: http://www.artba.org/
Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire
Related Articles
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Supports National Public Lands Day, Sept. 26
- Photos: TSA and Ad Council Raise Awareness of 'Secure Flight' Program as Part of National Public Education Campaign
- National American Arab Nurses Association Announces Joint Membership With National Arab American Medical Association
- Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Declares Sept. 30 National Public Lands Day
- National Public Broadcasting Interactive to Represent PBS.Org; NPB Interactive and Operative, Inc. To Work Together On Public Broadcasting Network of Web Sites
- DNAPrint President Richard Gabriel Participates in Discussion About DNA Ancestry Testing on National Public Radio
- American Public Health Association Receives $100,000 W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grant to Support National Public Health Week 2006
- APHA Will Urge Americans to Build Healthier Communities, Raise Healthier Kids During National Public Health Week 2006
- National Public Health Week Observed This Month
- BellSouth Corporation Signs on As a Member of the NAMWOLF Corporate and Public Entities Partnering Program
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds