Rahall Criticizes Obama Administration’s Bridge Safety Reform
The ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee criticized the Obama administration for its handling of bridge safety reform, citing a DOT inspector general’s report for highlighting “shortcomings in federal oversight and management of highway bridge safety.”
Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia said Aug. 26 the administration has been slow in implementing bridge safety reforms. Ammunition for his charges came from a U.S. Department of Transportation IG report that Rahall requested in 2013 in a letter to then Secretary Ray LaHood.
“While I thank the inspector general for this sobering and comprehensive assessment, it shouldn’t take an IG investigation to spur the Department of Transportation to act on potentially life-saving recommendations for shoring up our nation’s bridges,” Rahall said.
In a push for a transportation infrastructure plan, President Obama and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx have referred tongue-in-cheek to bridges being so old they would qualify for Medicare. Rahall’s comments echoed the concern in talking about thousands of bridges carrying too much weight for too long a time.
Rahall said the Federal Highway Administration is the agency that should be improving bridge quality.
