Why should the federal government be in charge of road, overpass and bridge repairs?

Question

Why isn't that the individual State's responsibility?

Answer 1

They aren't. They do fund projects and such but it's up to the States to apply the funds properly. That, and along with tax money they too collect.

edit:
Like TG said - he's exactly right.

Likewise other bridges, dams and infrastructure do get funds from the federal government to help assist in maintaining them.

In Minnesota the last several years under a republican governor, road construction has been at an all time high and issues are being addressed very well. Part of the entire activity going on was due to receiving loans to do much of the work, coupled with billions in excess taxes collected over the past several years.

Answer 2

It depends on which road (and applicable infrastructure) that you mean. The Interstate Highway system is funding by about 80% federal funds (fed gasoline tax) because it connects major population centers in ALL states, and serves as the artery of the US. The States contribute the other 20%. After that state roads are funded by the states, county roads by the county, city streets by the city, etc.

The Interstate Highway system was created and funded in the 1950s during Ike's administration, after a vote of Congress. The Minnesota bridge was maintained by a combination of local and federal funds, administered by the State. Improvement funds (some specifically for that bridge) were vetoed by Bush and by the governor of Minnesota.

For the record, any one of you (instead of voicing your opinions about how you think transportation should be financed) can look at the federal, state, city and county budgets (and audits) in your area and see exactly how your tax money is spent for transportation. Most of them are posted on line and each project is referenced by line item in the applicable document showing how the responsibility for the money is allocated.

Answer 3

In the 1950s, President Eisenhower forced through the legislation to build our federal highway system. He did this because as a young officer he once had to travel cross country and found the navigation of the trip to be problematic and tedious. He reasoned that in the event of a serious emergency, NOT having a healthy interstate system could seriously hurt America's ability to respond to natural disasters or foreign attack.

It is in our best interest to have the federal government maintain and repair our highways and bridges. The amount of money this will cost is a drop in the bucket compared with our present military budget.

Answer 4

The federal government spends alot of money maintaining the FEDERAL highway systems which were origianlly intended to do three things.

1. Promote interstate commerce by removing time barriers for goods to market.

2. Provide quick transit across the nation as and various regions which had previously been less accessible.

3. Augment internal national defense by providing potential "landing strips" every few miles (every 5th mile of the interstate system is usually straight and with fewer obstructions along side)

These days with "deferred maintenance" and total lack of fiscal responsibility on the part of federal politicians don't exactly spell improvement on the horizon.

So you get alot of LAZY folks doing not a whole lot of anything until it's too late, barring tragedy it's alot like the old IBM "Giant Sloth" commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ-z2uN9Rws#

Answer 5

Responsibility varies and sometimes overlaps. The bridge that collapsed in Minnesota was on Interstate 35, part of the federal highway ststem, built with and maintained by federal dollars. But all 50 states are reviewing the safety of bridges on their roads, and many cities and counties are doing the same.

Answer 6

Our country's infrastructure helps the entire nation. Transportation/ shipping etc rely on it.

Most of our country's major bridges, freeways, etc, were built by the federal government for both civil defense and military movements across our country.
http://www.interstate50th.org/

Interstate commerce benefits all of america, and poorer towns can not always afford to maintain and build such expensive constructions.

Answer 7

IT IS THE STATES RESPONSIBILITY. Just take a ride on the interstates. Once you cross state line the asphalt (or concrete) changes. In Wyoming it is Red. Granted the government assists in the cause.

We are not America, but The UNITED STATES of America.

Political pandering is all it is.

Answer 8

This was an interstate highway so was in the Fed's jurisdiction. The state highways and bridges are in the state's domain.

Answer 9

If you lived in a poor, low population State- would YOU want your State looking after it's infrastructure? If the high taxes didn't "get" you- the collapsing bridges WOULD! :0

Answer 10

It IS the states' responsibility. My question is, are the states and cities doing their jobs?
Remember New Orleans??