As Senate Debates Transportation and Housing Bill, Brown Announces Bipartisan Amendment to Fund Bridges Like Brent Spence

Portman-Brown Amendment Would Ensure Only “Functionally Obsolete” or “Structurally Deficient” Bridges Receive Federal Funding in Transportation and Housing Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 25, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — As the Senate debates a critical Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) bill this week, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced his support of a bipartisan amendment authored by Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) that would ensure only “functionally obsolete” or “structurally deficient” bridges, like Brent Spence, are eligible to receive federal funding. The Senate voted today to unanimously include the amendment in the larger THUD bill it is considering.

“The Brent Spence Bridge is critical to the economic wellbeing and safety of Southwest Ohio and its citizens,” Brown said. “Bridges that are in most need of repair or replacement should be the first to receive federal funding. That is why I was glad to join Senator Portman on an amendment that would prioritize funding for bridges like Brent Spence.”

As a part of THUD, $500 million is available through the Bridges in Critical Corridors program. The Portman-Brown amendment would ensure that only “functionally obsolete” or “structurally deficient” bridges have access to these funds, which includes the functionally obsolete Brent Spence Bridge.

Brown has long fought to ensure the Brent Spence Bridge Project receives the necessary funding for its completion. Brown worked to insert Projects of National and Regional Significance (PNRS) program in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act, which was signed into law last year. This program particularly helps projects like the Brent Spence Bridge that are large in scale and fall under more than one jurisdiction.

In August 2011, Brown first announced plans for legislation to create the national infrastructure bank in Cincinnati at Parsons Brinckerhoff with the Brent Spence Bridge in the background. At a press conference with Kroger, UPS, and labor representatives, Brown outlined new jobs legislation that would create a national infrastructure bank to provide loans and loan guarantees for critical infrastructure projects of national and regional importance that create and protect jobs, increase economic competitiveness, bolster exports, and encourage private investment.