Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
DAYTON, OH – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined local government and community leaders at the Riverside Bridge (the Patterson Blvd. & East Monument Bridge) in Dayton to discuss how his Bridge Investment Act will put Ohioans to work repairing, replacing and upgrading outdated infrastructure in Greater Dayton and throughout the state.
“Rebuilding Ohio bridges and infrastructure with American-made steel and products will create jobs and make our communities more competitive,” said Brown. “Bridges like the Riverside Bridge and more than 3,200 other bridges across Ohio need fixing now. This investment in Ohio, combined with my strong Buy America provisions, is a recipe for job creation in every region of our state.”
Brown was joined by local community leaders who spoke on the importance of this federal investment to repair and replace crumbling, structurally-deficient bridges to make the community safer and to spur economic development.
Local officials said particularly in the northeast quadrant of downtown Dayton, the technology sector has thrived because infrastructure investments created a dynamic, urban atmosphere that ensures entrepreneurs can attract and retain the talent they need to grow their businesses.
“Investments in infrastructure such as the Riverside Bridge position cities to catalyze additional economic investment,” said Carrie Scarff, Five Rivers MetroParks Chief of Planning & Projects. “The Riverside Bridge is a key component of the next evolution of RiverScape MetroPark. In the 20 years since the park was built, private investment in the blocks surrounding the park exceeded the public investment by a ratio of 10 to 1. These basic elements of infrastructure position communities to invest in amenities that then, in turn, to attract new housing and business.”
“Investing in infrastructure is vital to spurring economic growth in our community. Which is why rebuilding this 70 year old deteriorating fracture critical bridge has been a priority – it will improve connectivity and mobility for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians in addition to creating an aesthetic enhancement given its location adjacent to Riverscape, the fountains, and the Deeds Point trail bridge,” said Paul Gruner, Montgomery County Engineer.
More than 3,200 bridges across Ohio are in need of repairs and according to a report from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, more than 1,300 of those are classified as structurally deficient.
Brown fought to include the Bridge Investment Act in the larger bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Bridge Investment Act will ensure Ohioans are safer, will create and support jobs in communities, and will make local economies more competitive
Brown’s Bridge Investment Act will:
- Provide $12.5 billion in funding to repair and replace nationally and regionally significant bridges, like the Brent Spence Bridge in Ohio.
- Require construction to be done with American materials, ensuring Ohio tax dollars support Ohio jobs, with the strongest-ever Buy America standards.
- Accelerate aid to Ohio’s 3,200 bridges that need repairs. The 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers’ Report Card for America’s Infrastructure found there are at least 46,154 bridges in the U.S. that are ‘structurally deficient’ and 231,000 still need repair and preservation work.
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