58,000.
That’s how many bridges nationwide are in need of repair according to a new report released by the American Road and Transportation Builders. The report notes that 58,495 bridges across the country are structurally deficient including 5,313 here in Maryland. This study reinforces the analysis done by the American Society of Civil Engineers, which have given our country’s bridges a C+ grade.
This should be a wakeup call.
This is a public safety crisis that demands action. Some of the busiest bridges in Maryland are on the structurally deficient list. Maintaining current levels of infrastructure investment, which are too low, won’t solve the problem. And with each passing day that we don’t act, the problem gets bigger, more expensive and more dangerous.
So how do we build new infrastructure? The commonsense solution I’ve authored tackles two problems at once – bringing back overseas corporate profits and using those revenues to rebuild America. Combining infrastructure investment with international tax reform is a triple bottom line for the country, creating millions of good-paying jobs, improving our economy by spurring new domestic investment and a healthier business climate and making our roads and bridges safer.
I hear from Marylanders every day who are worried about the safety, reliability and efficiency of our local infrastructure. From I-270 to I-81 to upgrading and expanding Metro, Marylanders demand better.
To build a strong economy that produces good jobs, we have to have a strong infrastructure that allows us to compete globally. We also have to fix our tax code so that we don’t have trillions of dollars in profits piled up overseas. That’s bad for everyone.
Jobs, economic growth, safer commutes – it’s time we rebuilt America.
John