Congressman: Funds to fix nation's bridges, roads and other facilities are drying up

A $1.6 trillion bill to repair the nation's roads, bridges and other aging infrastructure is coming due, but money is in short supply.

Government leaders - from Capitol Hill to small rural towns - know what the problem is but not the solution, said Congressman Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon on Thursday. Blumenauer co-hosted with Idaho Republican Congressman Mike Simpson a transportation and infrastructure discussion with about 40 local leaders in Boise.

"I have yet to visit a community that feels they are prepared to address the infrastructure challenges they will face in the next 20 years," said Blumenauer, who has introduced a bill that would create a commission on America's 21st century infrastructure needs.

"What is underground is in worse shape than the bridges - 72,000 miles of the nation's water and sewer pipes are over 80 years of age, dating back to (President Calvin) Coolidge," said Blumenauer.

The nation's power transmission lines, gas pipelines and levees are also inadequate or in serious disrepair.

The nation's infrastructure needs are peaking at a time when federal dollars for such projects are drying up. In 1978, the federal share of water infrastructure costs was 78 percent. Today it is 3 percent, said Blumenauer.

And for the first time in history, the federal highway trust fund has a deficit - this year's projected shortfall of $3.2 billion could grow by year's end.

Simpson asked local leaders what the federal government could do for them.

"Help us get moving," said Ada County Highway District Commissioner Rebecca Arnold. ACHD has completed designs for dozens of road projects "sitting on the shelf" because the agency lacks the needed money.

While money is an issue, so is the labyrinthine federal regulations. Costs of projects go up when federal dollars are involved because of the extra time and effort needed to clear federal hurdles.

"We have to weigh the benefit versus cost of using federal money," Nampa Mayor Tom Dale said.

Arnold told the Congressmen they could help local governments tackle their infrastructure needs by streamlining environmental review and other processes.

"In a crisis, sometimes it is necessary to suspend rules or lessen review rules to avert a disaster," Arnold said.

Cynthia Sewell: 377-6428