Trump's Bypass of D.C. Bridge Reflects National Infrastructure Woes

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DALLAS – A deteriorating, load-limited bridge in Washington, D.C. that has come to symbolize decades of neglect for the nation's transportation infrastructure was limited to foot traffic over the busy inaugural weekend to avoid further damage to the historic span.

The National Park Service (NPS) banned all vehicular traffic from the load-limited Arlington Memorial Bridge over the Potomac to protect the span's support structure from the crowds attending the Inauguration and related ceremonies on Friday as well as the Women's March on Saturday.

The bridge that links the Arlington National Cemetery with the Lincoln Memorial was closed to vehicles weighing more than 10 tons in 2015 but the on-going corrosion, damage, and degradation of the structural concrete is still a concern, the NPS said last week in temporarily closing the bridge to all vehicles.

President-elect Donald Trump's motorcade had to use an alternative route to the national cemetery on Thursday for the traditional wreath-laying ceremony by the incoming president at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington.

President Trump renewed his campaign pledge for a large infrastructure plan in his Inaugural address following Friday's swearing-in ceremony.

"We've defended other nations' borders while refusing to defend our own … and spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while America's infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay," Trump said.

"We will build new roads and highways and bridges and airports and tunnels and railways all across our wonderful nation," he said. "We will get our people off of welfare and back to work, rebuilding our country with American hands and American labor. We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American."

The Federal Highway Administration said in February 2016 that without a full rehabilitation of the bridge's central span at an estimated cost of $250 million, the bridge would be closed to all traffic in 2021.

The NPS cannot charge tolls or fees for the bridge or other facilities it operates in the District of Columbia.

The NPS and Virginia received a $90 million Fastlane grant from the Transportation Department in 2016 for initial repairs to the bridge. The NPS is asking for another $60 million in the next round of Fastlane grants this year, said spokeswoman Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles.

"If we are successful, that brings the investment through that program up to $150 million on Memorial Bridge, well on our way to the $250 million project," she said.

The additional $60 million would allow NPS to complete the project in a single phase with fewer delays and remove the weight restrictions quickly, she said.

"Right now we're planning to move forward with a two-phased approach where in 2018 we would hope to award a contract to begin the approach span," Anzelmo-Sarles said. "That two-phased approach would prolong the project, increase delays, and increase the construction cost."

Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., who has been nominated as the next interior secretary by Trump, cited funding for the bridge's upkeep during his confirmation hearing last week before the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

Trump's infrastructure plan will take into account the estimated $12.5 billion backlog of maintenance and repair needs at national parks, Zinke said.

"And then you start asking, well, what about the rest of Washington, D.C.? Well, it turns out that very few fountains work," Zinke told the senators. "And then the Memorial Bridge, it turns out that needs about $150 million. So we'd better get on it."

Virginia's two Democratic senators asked Zinke and Transportation Secretary-designate Elaine Chao to make funding for the bridge repair a top priority of the new Trump administration.

"Without additional funding, Memorial Bridge will be forced to spend millions of dollars in the coming years for emergency repairs and will still face permanent closure if full rehabilitation is not achieved," said Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats from Virginia.

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Infrastructure Transportation industry Washington Virginia
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