[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22645]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   AMERICA'S CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today in the wake of the terrible 
tragedy that began unfolding yesterday in the Twin Cities region of 
Minnesota.
  As we all know by now, the bridge carrying Interstate 35W over the 
Mississippi River near downtown Minneapolis abruptly collapsed during 
yesterday evening's rush hour. At least 50 vehicles plunged 60 feet 
into the river. This morning, several people are confirmed dead, dozens 
of people are injured, and almost two dozen people remain missing. 
Sadly, first responders expect the death toll to rise as search and 
rescue missions continue today in earnest.
  I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to Senator Coleman, 
Senator Klobuchar, and all those directly affected by this tragedy. The 
people of Connecticut can sympathize with the people of Minnesota at a 
time like this. Just over 24 years ago, a bridge carrying Interstate 95 
over the Mianus River in Greenwich, CT, collapsed in the early 
afternoon. Four vehicles plunged into the river, three people died, and 
three others sustained serious injuries. It remains the worst 
transportation disaster in my State's history.
  Today, the National Transportation Safety Board will begin 
investigating the bridge collapse in Minnesota. While it is too early 
to conclude what exactly caused the collapse, we do know that a 
catastrophic structural failure of some sort occurred. We also know 
that this truss bridge was constructed in 1967 and--according to an 
interview on National Public Radio this morning--likely nearing the end 
of a 50-year operational lifetime.
  The tragedy in Minnesota is the most recent example of our national 
infrastructure crumbling before our very eyes. Indeed, this is not a 
problem only affecting Minneapolis or Greenwich or--in the case of the 
recent steam pipe eruption--New York City. It is a problem affecting 
every State, county, city, and community between San Diego, CA, and 
Bangor, ME. For too long we have taken our infrastructure systems--our 
roads, bridges, mass transit systems, drinking water systems, 
wastewater systems, and public housing properties--for granted. For too 
long we have failed to invest adequately in their long-term 
sustainability. And today, we find ourselves in a precarious position 
concerning their future viability--a precarious position that is 
costing lives, endangering lives, and jeopardizing the high quality of 
life we have come to enjoy and expect as Americans.
  According to the American Society of Civil Engineers in their seminal 
2005 Infrastructure Report Card, the current condition of our Nation's 
major infrastructure systems earns a grade point average of D and 
jeopardizes the prosperity and quality of life of all Americans.
  According to the Federal Highway Administration, 27.1 percent of all 
bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. The 
average age of bridges in our country is 40 years. Thirty-three percent 
of all urban and rural roads are in poor, mediocre or fair condition. 
Data from the Federal Transit Administration shows our mass transit 
systems are becoming increasingly unable to handle the growing demands 
of passengers in a safe and efficient manner. A significant percentage 
of our Nation's drinking water and wastewater systems are obsolete; the 
average age of these systems ranges in age from 50 years in smaller 
cities to 100 years in larger cities. Clearly, these statistics are 
alarming and they are not getting any better.
  In their Infrastructure report Card, the American Society of Civil 
Engineers estimates that $1.6 trillion is needed over a 5-year period 
to bring our Nation's infrastructure systems to a good condition.
  Regrettably, our current infrastructure financing mechanisms, such as 
formula grants and earmarks, are not equipped by themselves to absorb 
this cost or meet fully these growing needs. They largely do not 
address capacity-building infrastructure projects of regional or 
national significance; they largely do not encourage an appropriate 
pooling of Federal, State, local and private resources; and they 
largely do not provide transparency to ensure the optimal return on 
public resources.
  Early yesterday afternoon, on, I joined with my colleague, Senator 
Hagel, in introducing bipartisan legislation to establish a new method 
through which the Federal Government can finance more effectively large 
``capacity-building'' infrastructure projects of substantial regional 
or national significance by using public and private capital. I will 
say to my colleagues that our legislation focuses on the long-term 
capacity and sustainability of infrastructure facilities just like the 
bridge that carried Interstate 35W over the Mississippi River.
  Fixing our Nation's crumbling infrastructure is an issue that cannot 
be neglected or deferred any further. This demands our immediate 
attention and commitment in the Senate. The quality of life in our 
country hangs in the balance.
  Again, I extend my thoughts and prayers to those in Minnesota.

                          ____________________