[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 122 (Thursday, July 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   NATIONAL HIGHWAY BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION AND INSPECTION ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2008

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3999) to 
     amend title 23, United States Code, to improve the safety of 
     Federal-aid highway bridges, to strengthen bridge inspection 
     standards and processes, to increase investment in the 
     reconstruction of structurally deficient bridges on the 
     National Highway System, and for other purposes:

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3999, the 
National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act.
  In February, I joined experts from the Delaware Department of 
Transportation for a tour of some of the most heavily traveled roads 
and bridges in Delaware. I have often heard Delaware referred to as 
``The East Coast's Main Street''--and it is true. In fact, during our 
tour, we visited construction sites where men and women were working 
diligently on important highway, infrastructure, and bridge projects 
that are utilized by an estimated 230,000 vehicles every day.
  Over the next 50 years, the United States is projected to add 150 
million new residents, representing a 50 percent increase over our 
present population. This population surge will put a greater strain on 
our transportation system--particularly at key chokepoints in dense 
areas like the northeast corridor. And last August, the tragic 
Minneapolis bridge collapse, which killed 13 and injured 145, 
underscored the serious safety implications of this dramatic increase 
in highway users when combined with severely aging infrastructure.
  Clearly, this situation will continue to deteriorate unless we act 
soon. For this reason, I support passage of H.R. 3999 and I believe it 
is vital that we identify and prioritize funding to repair structurally 
deficient bridges to ensure the safety of all travelers. I also feel 
strongly that the Federal Government must allow States the appropriate 
flexibility to allocate these resources as efficiently as possible. I 
am hopeful that we will make progress in improving these provisions and 
reducing burdensome spending requirements when this legislation goes to 
conference with the U.S. Senate.

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