A bipartisan group of 17 members of Congress has urged the House Appropriations Committee to fully fund the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program.
In a letter dated April 29, three Washington lawmakers — Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Kim Schrier and Rick Larsen — urged the committee to include $675 million to fund the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program.
“Making these key investments to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure today will provide outsized benefits for decades to come,” the lawmakers wrote. “We respectfully request that you provide $675 million in funding for the Bridge Investment Program. Funding the Bridge Investment Program at its fully authorized level is a necessary step towards improving the condition of our bridges and the function of our nation’s transportation system.”
In the letter, the lawmakers said the additional funding is needed “to address the poor condition of bridges nationwide.” According to the letter, the Federal Highway Administration estimates that nearly 43,000 bridges are in poor condition, and a backlog of repairs would cost $125 billion.
“Southwest Washington knows the impact of relying on a structurally deficient bridge all too well. Commuters are stuck in endless traffic and the narrow lanes are a safety hazard,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement. “Fully funding this program will help ensure we can continue supporting projects like the I-5 Bridge replacement and strengthening our country’s transportation infrastructure as a whole.”
