LIUNA Applauds Rep. Rahall’s Legislation to Address America’s Bridge Crisis; Calls on Congress to Act

Washington, D.C. (June 19, 2013) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement in support of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Nick Rahall’s legislation to help rescue our nation’s failing bridges:

“Nearly a fourth of our nation’s bridges are deficient or obsolete and in need of significant maintenance, rehabilitation or replacement. We applaud legislation introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Nick Rahall. The Strengthen and Fortify Existing Bridges Act of 2013 would require the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to help states restore or replace structurally deficient or functionally obsolete bridges and directs the Department of Transportation to speed up the implementation of new and improved bridge inspection standards and requirements.

“The recent collapse of I-5 Skagit River Bridge in Washington State and Minnesota’s deadly I-35W Bridge collapse in 2007 are tragic reminders of the cost of underinvesting in our nation’s basic infrastructure.

“LIUNA calls on Congress to protect the safety of millions of commuters who make dangerous crossings every day and to increase our nation’s competitiveness, which is being choked by obsolete bridges that are incapable of handling today’s transportation needs. Congress should pass Representative Rahall’s legislation.”