We're Headed for Another Bridge Disaster

Some not-so-fun facts to ponder on your next drive: More than 151,000 of the nation's bridges—that's about 25%—are deemed structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, writes blogger Dr. Denny at Scholars and Rogues. It's true that the number is decreasing, but only incrementally. "At this rate, America will have no unsafe or obsolete bridges in only 153 years," he writes.

Seems like this should be a slam dunk: Bridges need fixing, people need jobs, and the economy needs a bump. But legislation to provide money for bridge repairs is stuck in congressional limbo, and the White House doesn't seem all that jazzed by the subject. "Shall we wait for another I-35W collapse to motivate Congress to act on the nation’s bridges? That produced media coverage galore and plenty of presidential rhetoric," but that's about all. Our infrastructure is in serious trouble, and "the bill is due."
(More bridges stories.)