I-35W Bridge Collapse Shows Continued Risk From Lack of Redundancy in National Highway/Bridge...

I-35W Bridge Collapse Shows Continued Risk From Lack of Redundancy in National
Highway/Bridge Network, ARTBA Says

Additional Attention Still Required for 6,000 Deficient Bridges Nationwide,
Each Serving as a Crucial Economic Link

MINNEAPOLIS, July 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Bridges can be rebuilt and
roadways repaired but lives touched by tragedy can never be wholly repaired."
Those were the words of Larry Russell, American Road & Transportation Builders
Association (ARTBA) Vice President, Development & National Field Operations.

Russell joined industry partners and local officials at a Minneapolis, Minn.
commemoration July 31 to mark the tragic August 1, 2007 I-35W bridge collapse
and to urge continued local, state and federal government focus on the
importance of increased and sustained transportation infrastructure
investment.

Russell outlined the infrastructure challenges facing U.S. highways and
bridges in the immediate future saying the collapse was a wake up call that
prompted Congress to act, but that more work was required in the days ahead.
He outlined the risks facing commuters, shippers and travelers from a system
with limited redundancy and aging bridge and highway components.

"The National Highway System (NHS) makes up just over four percent of U.S.
roadway mileage, but it carries 45 percent of all vehicle miles traveled and
75 percent of all heavy truck traffic. Today, there are over 6,000
structurally deficient bridges on the NHS. Losing capability of any of these
bridges will result in major economic consequences," Russell said. "Lack of
redundancy in our nation's transportation network means a disruption at one
point of the system has a domino effect and causes ramifications throughout
the system."

Russell joined Steve Sandherr, President of the Associated General Contractors
of America; National Surface Transportation Policy & Revenue Study Commission
members Steve Heminger and Jack Schenendorf; and Janet Kavinoky, executive
director of the American's for Transportation Mobility coalition, chaired by
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Established in 1902, ARTBA represents the U.S. transportation design and
construction industry before Congress, the Executive Branch, federal agencies,
news media and general public.

SOURCE American Road & Transportation Builders Association

Jeff Solsby of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association,
+1-202-289-4434