The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced a $232 million relief fund to repair roads and bridges damaged by winter storms. While this is a positive step, long-term federal funding to mend our nation’s crumbling national infrastructure is still desperately needed.
The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief program will move forward on allocating funds to 26 states that have recently experienced damaged roads and bridges in a variety of disasters. The Portland Cement Association (PCA) is calling on the federal government to act on a fully funded surface transportation bill that would help the nation’s roads stand up not just to extreme weather, but also daily wear and tear.
“There is no question that after a natural disaster, immediate infrastructure failings must be addressed to help affected communities,” said A. Todd Johnston, vice-president of government affairs for PCA. “However, these short-term solutions should not overshadow the a need to build stronger, more durable infrastructure that can better withstand powerful storms, and allow a community to bounce back faster.”
PCA strongly believes that to achieve a sound investment of taxpayer dollars, legislation authorizing infrastructure construction and rehabilitation using durable and resilient materials must be funded for years to come.
