Bridge Bill Passes House

The bill, sponsored by Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) proposes a $2 billion authorization from the Highway Trust Fund's general funds to inspect and repair over 73,000 structurally deficient bridges.

According to the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), funding does not come from the five-cent gasoline tax proposal Oberstar originally called for following the I-35 bridge collapse in his home state of Minnesota.

NITL reports, "Oberstar's staff indicated that it was likely he would attempt to draft a more broad bridge proposal as part of the congressional highway reauthorization bill scheduled for deliberation and passage in 2008-2009."