Jerry F. Costello: “Our interstate system is almost 50 years old; 32 percent of our major roads are in poor or mediocre condition; 29…”

“Our interstate system is almost 50 years old; 32 percent of our major roads are in poor or mediocre condition; 29 percent of our bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete; and 36 percent of the Nation's urban rail vehicles and maintenance facilities are in substandard or poor condition. The bill before us today is essential, for it increases investment in our roads and bridges, allowing States and local communities to not only maintain but to improve them. Despite an uphill battle, we are here today to consider what I think is a good 6-year bill. While I would have preferred to see a bill that provided the $375 billion funding level passed by the committee last year, I support the bill before us today in hopes that we can make it even better in conference.”