Pennsylvania GOP opposed bridge repair funds that could prevent future collapses

[turbinetree]

By Josh Israel -January 28, 2022 2:11 PM

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports 176 bridges in Allegheny County alone are in poor condition.

A Pittsburgh bridge that was known to be in poor condition collapsed on Friday, causing what reports said were "minor injuries" to at least 10 people and sending three of them to the hospital. Although thousands of other Pennsylvania bridges are also reported to be in disrepair, all but one member of the state's GOP congressional delegation voted against approving the funds to fix them.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, inspection records for the bridge that collapsed had consistently listed its condition as poor since 2011. It was one of 176 county and local bridges in Allegheny County reported by the state Department of Transportation to be in poor condition and one of 3,353 such bridges in the state.

Last year, President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan bill to address these and other transportation safety concerns. The $550 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act included $110 billion to repair roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure across the country, of which $36.7 billion will be allocated to fund grants for bridge replacement and repair.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.

https://americanindependent.com/pennsylvania-gop-president-joe-biden-infrastructure-pittsburgh-bridge-collapse/

[WHITT]

1. Oh

The ad writes itself.

[RobinA]

7. That Picture

is spectacular. No one seriously injured and a great picture of Life in These United States in January 2022.

[Poiuyt]

2. Spending money to improve or maintain our infrastructure should be a no brainer

[Rebl2]

17. Yes it is

Even my Republican Governor welcomes this money. We have many bad bridges and roads in MO.

[Archae]

19. That's why it leaves out the GOP.

Isaac Asimov put it best.

If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them. -Isaac Asimov

[patphil]

22. Having no brains would be an upgrade for these Republicans.

[madaboutharry]

3. Can someone explain the logic of refusing funds to fix bridges?

These are bridges that republicans also drive over, including members of the state GOP congressional delegation. Why would they not want to fix bridges?

I don’t get it.

[NCDem47]

4. You know, taxes.

Like how we pay for infrastructure. Repubs would rather have the world burn down if it meant keeping every single cent.

[gab13by13]

6. Pa. pays the highest gasoline taxes in the nation.

[moonscape]

11. I believe we in CA have the highest gas tax, with PA 2nd. n/t

[paleotn]

14. Beat by IL and CA for that distinction.

[paleotn]

15. Brown people might drive over them for free and don't deserve that...

because only white middle aged and older folks in ruby red, rural areas work for what they have.


I'm not kidding. I've heard crazy, bullshit responses like that to just the question you asked.

[JHB]

23. It's depressingly simple: They would have been seen "supporting Biden" and attacked as traitors

Republicans demand their congresspeople stay in Soviet Politburo-grade lockstep.

[gab13by13]

5. John Fetterman was at the bridge speaking with president Biden,

A big deal was made that Fetterman couldn't attend president Biden's speech later in the day.

Fetterman, the person who will replace Senator Toomey was dressed in his normal winter attire of shorts and a hoodie. Can't wait to vote for Fetterman.

[Diamond_Dog]

8. That's a Pulitzer-worthy photo right there.

[SoonerPride]

9. Biden should allow bridge and road repair only in blue states

I'm just kidding.

Sort of.

[spanone]

10. Hey Joe, call these assholes out....the gopers who voted against it...

[ancianita]

12. What WHITT said: THE CAMPAIGN AD WRITES ITSELF.

[paleotn]

16. Bingo.

Instead of "your brain on drugs", your state on Republicans.

[bucolic_frolic]

13. For Republicans to approve transportation in PA the legislation has to say "More Limousines for us"

[Cha]

18. Damn Straight & they weren't the

ONLY ONES.

[Aussie105]

20. Republicans can't accept infrastructure money!

It's DEMOCRAT money, not proper Republican money!

And the bridge would become a DEMOCRAT bridge, can't have that!

Those driving over such a repaired bridge, might develop the urge to change their vote from Republican!

/Yes, some intentional sarcasm there.

But honestly, cutting off your nose (future repair funds) to spite your face? A bit stupid!

I wonder what government supplied the money to build those bridges in the first place. Does it even matter?

As for the tax dollars on every gallon of gas - it dissipates into general revenue spending, unfortunately. It should go to road maintenance, bridge upkeep, etc.

[CloudWatcher]

21. Close them!

Does the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation not have the authority to close unsafe bridges? Why are they still open?

[peggysue2]

24. This is something with which all our candidates should hammer Republican opponents

Particularly in places like Pennsylvania where Republicans have routinely refused to fund repairs or replacement of dangerously old and neglected infrastructure. Whoever wins the Democratic senatorial primary, Fetterman or Lamb (the two frontrunners at the moment), should pound this home again and again and again. No letting these suckers get away with taking credit for a program they never supported. At the Federal or state level.

What do Republicans stand for? Well, it sure ain't infrastructure or protecting lives.

Beat them over the head with it!

[OMGWTF]

25. People of America: The Republicans DGAF about you! Period!

[Aussie105]

26. Jebediah, Ignatz, get out the horses!

The bridge is down, forget the car, the horses are the only way we can get to town for a while!

[colorado_ufo]

27. Well, that's why I always keep a couple around!

I don't care what the husband says!

[Ron Green]

28. Seriously, many bridges should not be repaired, they should

be closed. And NO new roads should be built.

We need to (selectively) fix and maintain only what we need. And seriously question economic growth.

[gratuitous]

29. But now that a bridge has collapsed

Our friends in the GOP will blame Democrats because the bridge collapsed while a Democrat was in the White House. Then they'll complain that the money in the infrastructure bill has been wasted, frauded and abused. Then, when the fix begins, they'll be right there to pose for the cameras and talk about how great they even though they voted against the infrastructure bill. And the popular media will go right along with them, every hypocritical, cynical step of the crooked way.

[DBoon]

30. It took armed invaders to destroy Ancient Rome's infrastructure

Greed and selfishness are destroying ours much more quickly.