For Release: Thursday, August 2, 2007
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO STATEMENT ON MINNEAPOLIS BRIDGE ACCIDENT

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis yesterday:

"I want to say at the outset that my thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of Minneapolis and the friends and families of the deceased.  This is a terrible tragedy and the rest of the nation stands ready to assist with the recovery. 

"I have received inquiries about how this accident might affect the $239 million set aside for the new Mississippi River Bridge project in the bi-state region.  The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved quickly today to authorize emergency funds to help with rebuilding the bridge in Minneapolis.  These are emergency funds and will not come from the new Mississippi River Bridge project. 

"This tragedy is also a reminder of the need to be ever vigilant in evaluating and investing in our transportation system.  We are not close to making the investments necessary to keep pace with the maintenance requirements of our roads, bridges and waterways.  According to the American Society of Civil Engineers 2005 Report Card, 27.1% of the nation's 590,750 bridges rated structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, and it will cost $9.4 billion a year for 20 years to eliminate all bridge deficiencies.  This situation will not correct itself; we need to get serious about meeting our transportation needs."

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