Senate OKs $1B to repair US bridges

From AP by way of CentreDaily.com and the ADSC

The Senate approved $1 billion on Monday to speed repair and replacement of America’s crumbling network of bridges, six weeks after the Interstate 35W span collapsed in Minneapolis.

The Senate approved the funds on a 60-33 vote as the Senate began debate on a $104.6 billion measure funding transportation and housing programs for the budget year beginning Oct. 1.

"Our bridges are deteriorating for faster than we can finance their replacement," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., lead sponsor of the bridge-repair funds. "More than one in every four bridges on U.S. highways is rated as deficient."