Infrastructure Determined to Crumble in the U.S.
So, as I watched the cable news coverage of the bridge collapse in Minnesota last night, the first thing that came to my mind was that distressing report about how there is no money for the problem, but:
Infrastructure Determined to Crumble in the U.S.
Does that sound familiar? Why, yes, it sounds like:
Bin Laden Determined to Strike in the U.S.
But who has money for bridges and such when there is a war on?
The New York Times blog, Lede has lots of news about the bridge collapse including this gawdawful tidbit:
Scores of ‘Deficient’ Bridges | 9:44 AM The Department of Transportation’s 2005 judgment that the bridge was “structurally deficient” has emerged as one of the most prominent signs of a missed signal of an impending disaster. But there are many, many more bridges with that rating, according to a 2006 count by The Federal Highway Administration. Minnesota alone has 1,135 bridges on the list of “Deficient Bridges,” and other states have thousands more. Check your state against the “SD” column on this spreadsheet.
According to the very long list of crumbling infrastructure, Tennessee has 1,324 structurally deficient bridges! Oh dear, and I can barely leave my neighborhood without crossing a bridge.
But never fear, here are some comforting words from your dear leader:
Crumbling Infrastructure is a State Issue!
WASHINGTON - The White House said Thursday that an inspection two years ago found structural deficiencies in the highway bridge that buckled during evening rush hour in Minneapolis.
White House press secretary Tony Snow said the Interstate 35W span rated 50 on a scale of 120 for structural stability.
"This doesn't mean there was a risk of failure, but if an inspection report identifies deficiencies, the state is responsible for taking corrective actions," he said. [via]
Crumbling Infrastructure Empire Minnesota News Politics Tennessee Interstate 35W Structurally Deficient Bridges Bush
