Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after a report by the nonprofit group Transportation for America released today said Iowa has the third worst bridges in the United States in terms of their condition and upkeep:
"For four summers in college, I worked for the Poweshiek County Roads Department fixing roads and bridges. Iowa's economy moves on its roads. If they're crumbling, our ability to attract new jobs and new businesses to Iowa will crumble too.
"We can create jobs in the short-term and make a lasting boost to economic growth - not to mention keeping Iowans safe - by investing in new highways and proper maintenance of our bridges and roads. We spent billions rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan -- it's irresponsible not to make the same investment here at home."
The report says that nearly 22 percent of Iowa's bridges statewide are considered structurally "deficient." The only states ranking below Iowa were Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.
Source: http://braley.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1062&Itemid=100013
