Finkenauer Introduces Bipartisan Fixing America's Bridges Act

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (D-IA-01) and Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA-03) introduced the bipartisan Fixing America's Bridges Act. The bill reestablishes a federal funding program to help repair and replace structurally deficient local bridges, many of which are owned by municipalities that have trouble affording necessary maintenance.

Iowa is home to more structurally deficient bridges than any other state with 5,067, which is nearly 20% of all Iowan bridges. Most of those are locally-owned and don't receive the same federal funding that goes to bridges that are part of the federal highway system.

"Having visited many of our local structurally deficient bridges, I know first-hand how big of an impact we can make by securing much-needed help for our communities," Congresswoman Finkenauer said. "Our local engineers and communities are sending us a clear message they need help, and we can do that while making our infrastructure safer and supporting good paying American jobs. I thank Congressman Higgins for partnering with me as we deliver critical aid to our communities that desperately need their bridges to be fixed."

"Investing in safe and reliable infrastructure promotes economic growth and benefits our communities. This certainly includes America's bridges," said Congressman Higgins. "Our legislation expands federal infrastructure resources and prioritizes bridge replacement based on structural integrity. Reestablishing the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program would greatly benefit many bridges in Louisiana, including the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. I want to thank Congresswoman Finkenauer for leading this bipartisan effort."

The Fixing America's Bridges Act would reestablish the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program. The program would award federal grant money to states to repair or replace bridges that are found to be in "poor condition" by the Federal Highway Administration. The bill includes a set-aside to ensure communities get funding for their locally-owned bridges that are off the federal-aid highway system; it would also increase the federal cost-share for local bridges from 80% to 90% so communities can act quickly to make much-needed repairs to their structurally deficient bridges.

The Fixing America's Bridges Act is supported by the National Association of Counties, National Association of County Engineers, North America's Building Trades Unions, and Soy Transportation Coalition.

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