It is time.
In fact, it's way past time.
And for the sake of generating jobs, revitalizing the economy, allowing businesses to grow, and assisting communities in forming around solid infrastructure, we must reauthorize the nation's transportation funding. I spoke on the Floor of the House of Representatives this week in hopes of highlighting the decisive role transportation and infrastructure play in all of our lives.
Here's the bottom line, the crumbling infrastructure in Missouri's Fifth District is maddening, frustrating, and just plain unnecessary.
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers in a 2013 report card:
- 3,500 bridges in Missouri are considered structurally deficient
- More than 3,300 (14% of the bridges in our state) are considered functionally obsolete
This is a sad day in our history. We must pass a highway and transportation infrastructure bill. And we must do it now.
Why?
- Every dollar invested in Missouri transportation generates $4 of economic activity
- For every $1 billion spent on transportation - 34,000 direct and indirect jobs are created
- Investment in transportation infrastructure generates growth and jobs during initial design, construction and post construction
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