Crossing that Bridge: America's Aging Structure

Part of government's job is to protect, and that protection takes the form of standards and structure. The structure is quite literal – roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, waterways -- the paths that connect us to one another. Often calle "infrastructure," that basic framework of society is a support for our economy and our safety.

If structure is compromised, our security and economy are threatened. When the I-35W bridge collapsed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Americans were reminded of the importance of infrastructure and started asking questions about its condition.

Aging infrastructure

For years, engineers and other transportation experts have been warning of dire consequences if the country does not put more money into modernizing its public works. The American Society of Civil Engineers says that it would take $1.6 trillion and five years to improve the nation's structural elements to a "good" condition.

Just in the past few years, major structural failures have caused injury and even death. Just look at the broken levees in New Orleans and the exploded steam pipe in New York City.

Tax dollars go to maintain infrastructure, but not enough. In light of the recent disasters, legislators are proposing that more tax dollars go to the basics, and even new tax dollars.

Whose responsibility?

Sure, government is supposed to keep up bridges, but which government? Local? State? Federal?

Congress and the Bush administration don't want to pay the bill because there are so many other urgent and expensive demands on federal money - the Iraq War being at the top of the list for the past four years - and because pouring more into infrastructure would likely mean deeper deficit spending or higher taxes. But cities and states cannot afford the outlay required, even though they have been given the responsibility of maintaining most the nation's highways and bridges - including those in the Interstate system - with some federal assistance.

Legislation cleared

However, before leaving for its August recess, Congress passed a bill that pays a significant portion of rebuilding the collapsed bridge in Minneapolis. President Bush signed the legislation Aug. 6

The legislation authorizes up to $250 million in emergency aid for the project and another $5 million from the Federal Transit Administration for programs that relieve traffic congestion or provide alternative transportation around the disaster site.

Legislation proposed

Strangely, just hours before the bridge collapse Senators Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) and Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska) announced a plan to repair and replace aging infrastructure.

The National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2007 would create an independent national bank that would identify, assess and help finance large infrastructure projects.

The bank would fund projects by selling long-term bonds to individuals, corporations and other entities. Rather than reaping interest on the bonds, the bond holders would get tax credits. The bonds would be guaranteed by the federal government.

Congressmen Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Steven LaTourette (R-OH) have also proposed a bill, The Rebuilding America's Infrastructure Act of 2007, which would create low-cost federal financing with zero-interest loans for localities.

Under the new law, states would choose the projects to fund according to their specific needs. Kucinich and LaTourette have introduced versions of this bill in each of the past three Congresses. They believe that it would help prevent tragedy such as the collapse in Minneapolis, which was structurally-deficient and awaiting considerable repair when the financing became available.

But some say that money alone can't solve the problem. They argue that clear rolls must first be laid out for state and federal governments.

What do you think?

What's the condition of the infrastructure in your area? Are you concerned about local bridges, roads, airports? Does your representative know?

You can also discuss details with other WomenMatter readers on our blog.

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