Will the May 23 collapse of part of Washington state's Skagit River Bridge spark more federal funding for bridges? A senior House Democrat is seeking to boost bridge aid over two years. But intense federal budget pressure is likely to make a near-term hike a tough sell in Congress, particularly in the Republican-controlled House. Still, the Skagit bridge accident may at least amplify the call for more infrastructure aid, perhaps in the next big highway-transit bill, due in 2014.
At ENR press time, Rep. Nick Rahall (W.Va.), the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's top Democrat, was preparing to introduce a bill to add $5.5 billion for bridges over the fiscal 2013-14 period, a committee source says. Whether Rahall will win GOP co-sponsors for his bill is uncertain.