Thomas Daschle: “the Senate owes a great debt of gratitude to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, its Chairman (Mr. Chafee)…”

“the Senate owes a great debt of gratitude to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, its Chairman (Mr. Chafee) and Ranking Member (Mr. Baucus) for developing an excellent legislative package to reauthorize the Federal surface transportation programs. Among the many visionary provisions in this bill, the Committee included a provision in S. 1173 that requires the United States Department of Transportation to carry out a bridge research grant program to demonstrate the application of innovative materials in the construction of bridges. The State of South Dakota is on the cutting edge of efforts to develop innovative materials for use in bridge construction. Polymer Bridge Systems, Inc., of Mitchell, South Dakota, has developed a very impressive technology that makes it possible to construct items like bridges and utility poles out of composite plastics. Its products use a relatively inexpensive bamboo core for strength. Advanced composites show great promise in reducing costs of bridges and speeding their construction, particularly in rural areas such as those found in our states. This Senator has seen samples of this innovative product. It has won wide national recognition ahead of others developed by large corporations we are all familiar with. In fact, the South Dakota Department of Transportation is installing a model bridge developed by Polymer Bridge Systems, Inc., at a weigh station in the state.”