[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[March 17, 1994]
[Pages 483-484]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing Legislation on Highway Bridge Seismic Retrofitting
March 17, 1994

    Today I am pleased to sign into law S. 1789--a bill that responds to 
January's earthquake in Southern California and will help States reduce 
potential losses from future earthquakes. This legislation expands the 
eligible uses of Federal bridge replacement and rehabilitation funds to 
include seismic retrofitting of highway bridges, regardless of whether 
the bridges are in need of other repairs or work. S. 1789 will greatly 
assist States in their efforts to reinforce bridges to better withstand 
earthquakes.
    The California earthquake crippled much of the regional 
transportation system, serving as a sharp reminder of the vulnerability 
of our infrastructure to natural disasters and of the need to increase 
our preparedness for such events. The damage to the transportation 
network in Southern California had far reaching consequences. People's 
everyday lives were changed because of the difficulty of travel in the 
region, most notably in the time and effort spent getting to work. All 
levels of government immediately pulled together to minimize the 
disruption and resulting economic losses. That effort is continuing.
    In my visits to the earthquake-damaged areas with members of my 
Cabinet and the Congress, one question was repeatedly raised: ``We 
cannot prevent another earthquake, but can we prevent any of the 
resulting loss of life and debilitating infrastructure damage?'' With 
regard to much of the damage to bridges and overpasses, the answer to 
that question is ``yes.'' The California earthquake proved that seismic 
retrofitting

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works. None of the bridges in the Los Angeles area that were seismically 
retrofitted failed or suffered major damage as a result of the 
earthquake. The 12 bridges that were severely damaged during the 
earthquake had not been fully retrofitted.
    The Congress responded quickly by providing much needed additional 
financial aid to victims of the earthquake through emergency 
supplemental funds. However, we need not only to provide assistance for 
repairs, but also to provide the flexibility to allow States to make 
sensible investments to prevent future losses.
    I am very pleased that the Congress, led by Senator Boxer, has acted 
again to provide an additional tool to California and other States that 
may face similar natural disasters. This seismic retrofitting 
legislation does not increase Federal expenditures but allows States the 
flexibility to determine their own bridge needs. Together, these actions 
will not only speed recovery from the California earthquake but will 
also help mitigate potential losses to life and property in any State by 
future earthquakes.
    S. 1789 will empower States throughout the Nation to make critically 
important investments in infrastructure to prevent highway bridge 
collapses. Ultimately, it will save both lives and dollars.

                                                      William J. Clinton

The White House,

March 17, 1994.

Note: S. 1789, approved March 17, was assigned Public Law No. 103-220.