US rep throws cold water on Wilson Bridge funding


WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - A key U.S. lawmaker expressed "grave reservations" on Thursday about Congress' willingness to fork over another $600 million sought by the White House to replace the crumbling Woodrow Wilson Bridge. 
Congress already appropriated $900 million for the project, which spans the Potomac River here and links Virginia to Maryland, Rep. Bud Shuster, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, noted at a packed subcommittee hearing. 
Another $600 million would give the region a total $1.5 billion for this project alone, Shuster said. That is more bucks than 14 other states got in total for a string of highway projects under "TEA-21," Congress' new transportation law, he added. 

     The Pennsylvania Republican signaled that he would help with this new round of funding only if lawmakers agree to cough up added funds for other needy highway projects nationwide. Virginia Democrat James Moran implored the subcommittee to move quickly in adequately funding the span, which is the only bridge fully owned by the federal government and one that, according to Moran, was built "on the cheap." 
"I invite you to join me on a tour of the bridge and see what happens when you stretch engineering standards and place the pillars and supports too far apart," Moran said. 
Designed to handle 75,000 vehicles a day, the bridge now carries close to 180,000 vehicles, including nearly 20,000 heavy trucks, Moran said. 

     By 2020, an estimated 300,000 cars will try to cross the bridge, located at the southern tip of the District of Columbia, he said. 
Clinton's bill calls for an additional $150 million a year for four years beginning in 2004 to replace the bridge, rated by AAA as one of the 10 worst traffic bottlenecks in the U.S. Under the plan, Virginia and Maryland would contribute a total of nearly $400 million to expand the drawbridge from six lanes to a projected 12. 
But western state lawmakers on Wednesday objected to fast-track construction of the Wilson Bridge. They charged that Virginia, Maryland and the District -- because they are in Congress' backyard -- are being permitted to take some shortcuts under federal environment laws for the span. "Funny how when land use issues affect the Washington bureaucrats, the rules seem to change," said Rep. George Radanovich, a California Republican. "My Western colleagues and I say 'not so fast' to the Wilson Bridge." 
A federal court last April also said 'not so fast' -- halting construction pending more study of the bridge's impacts on the environment. 

18:11 09-30-99

US rep throws cold water on Wilson Bridge funding


WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - A key U.S. lawmaker expressed "grave reservations" on Thursday about Congress' willingness to fork over another $600 million sought by the White House to replace the crumbling Woodrow Wilson Bridge. 
Congress already appropriated $900 million for the project, which spans the Potomac River here and links Virginia to Maryland, Rep. Bud Shuster, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, noted at a packed subcommittee hearing. 
Another $600 million would give the region a total $1.5 billion for this project alone, Shuster said. That is more bucks than 14 other states got in total for a string of highway projects under "TEA-21," Congress' new transportation law, he added. 

     The Pennsylvania Republican signaled that he would help with this new round of funding only if lawmakers agree to cough up added funds for other needy highway projects nationwide. Virginia Democrat James Moran implored the subcommittee to move quickly in adequately funding the span, which is the only bridge fully owned by the federal government and one that, according to Moran, was built "on the cheap." 
"I invite you to join me on a tour of the bridge and see what happens when you stretch engineering standards and place the pillars and supports too far apart," Moran said. 
Designed to handle 75,000 vehicles a day, the bridge now carries close to 180,000 vehicles, including nearly 20,000 heavy trucks, Moran said. 

     By 2020, an estimated 300,000 cars will try to cross the bridge, located at the southern tip of the District of Columbia, he said. 
Clinton's bill calls for an additional $150 million a year for four years beginning in 2004 to replace the bridge, rated by AAA as one of the 10 worst traffic bottlenecks in the U.S. Under the plan, Virginia and Maryland would contribute a total of nearly $400 million to expand the drawbridge from six lanes to a projected 12. 
But western state lawmakers on Wednesday objected to fast-track construction of the Wilson Bridge. They charged that Virginia, Maryland and the District -- because they are in Congress' backyard -- are being permitted to take some shortcuts under federal environment laws for the span. "Funny how when land use issues affect the Washington bureaucrats, the rules seem to change," said Rep. George Radanovich, a California Republican. "My Western colleagues and I say 'not so fast' to the Wilson Bridge." 
A federal court last April also said 'not so fast' -- halting construction pending more study of the bridge's impacts on the environment. 

18:11 09-30-99