Ellison Praises NTSB Report

Statement

Media Statement: Ellison Praises NTSB Report

CALLS FOR PRESIDENTIAL COMMITMENT TO COUNTRY'S INFRASTRUCTURE

Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) thanked the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for their diligent investigation of the tragic I-35W bridge that collapsed in the Congressman's district this past August. However, he called on President Bush to make good on the commitment the President made to the American public at the time of the tragedy to invest fully in America's crumbling infrastructure.

"Look, as Senator Klobuchar said at the time, bridges do not just fall down in America. Thirteen people died as a result of the collapse. It is relevant to know a 'possible contributing factor' of this collapse - but the fact remains, the bridge was forty one years old; it was outdated for current weight levels and traffic flows; and the inspections were sporadic and non-specific," Ellison stated.

"Federal and state administrations have failed to fund adequately our infrastructure needs. If the lessons of I-35W are not taken to heart then more bridges in America will continue to fall down," the Congressman from Minneapolis said.

"These findings are helpful, but they do not make Minnesotans feel any safer as they travel with their families across our bridges. An improved NTSB inspection process on both the state and federal levels, as well as a commitment by all our elected officials - including those running for President - to fully fund our infrastructure needs would restore the public's faith in our roads and bridges," Ellison stated.

"The Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, and my fellow Minnesotan, Congressman Jim Oberstar has steadfastly argued for adequate funding, stating, 'Keeping the traveling public safe is our number one priority.' I applaud his vision and tenacity, and concur wholeheartedly with him," Ellison concluded.

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