Five years ago, yesterday, the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed and the rush-hour traffic stalled over it, free fell into the Mississippi River, killing thirteen and injuring 145.
A little over a year later, three months ahead of schedule, the bridge to replace it was completed. Considered a feat of efficiency in construction and project management, the bridge’s design allowed for quick adaptations to unforeseen obstacles, as opposed to the more antiquated designs of most bridges built or repaired today that take weeks to adjust in such cases, therefore delaying progress and causing traffic headaches for months.
There’s no doubt about it, technology has improved. So, we ask you, why are there so many bridges across the United States considered too dangerous to drive across and why is the government flat-out allowing that to happen?
Since its inception, money collected as part of the federal gas tax has been used to build and repair the nation’s roadways. Unfortunately, not all of the tax revenue collected is utilized for the maintenance and care of our infrastructure. A large percentage of the funds are diverted to new construction projects and congressional earmarks. Too often, the less glamorous job of infrastructure maintenance and repair is neglected. (SaveOurBridges.com)
But what can we do about that?
We write. We demand….Like before, but this time we have proof.
SaveOurBridges.com launched the anniversary of the Minneapolis bridge collapse with one purpose in mind. To save America’s bridges and, in turn, American lives. They have literally revolutionized a system that was as antiquated as our bridges themselves. Using data collected by the governments themselves, they created an interactive map pinpointing bridges considered structurally deficient or considered fracture critical.
Take a look yourselves and find out what bridges near you are in desperate need of maintenance or total restructure. Demand the money you pay in taxes be distributed properly.
And let’s build a safer America.
