By Associated Press
New York City, NY – US Senator Charles Schumer says the bridge collapse in Minneapolis underscores a need for urgent maintenance to the nation's aging bridges.
Schumer says he'll introduce legislation next month to double a proposed transportation bill from five to ten billion dollars for that purpose.
He said that for too long, highways and bridges in New York and other older areas have been allowed to degrade to the point of dangerous repair, while federal subsidies went to a small number of new facilities in less populous states.
Schumer cited recent studies by two federal agencies to support his position.
Schumer said we need a comprehensive effort at the federal, state and local levels to ensure that this type of collapse never happens again.