As everyone in the bridge inspection, maintenance, repair, and construction industries know, the federal government recently passed what is known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
In short, this legislation promises to release funding to the tune of $1.2 trillion for the expansion and rehabilitation of the country’s infrastructure.
However, according to some experts, the funding and actual work has been slow in coming.
Programs, Priorities, and Promises: Federal Funding for Infrastructure
Recently, President Biden’s Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, was on 60 Minutes where he stated that,
“One of the first things you’re gonna notice is accelerated work on roads and bridges. Not just the big, famous bridges in our biggest cities.This is thousands of bridges around the country.”
However, he noted that in many cases, it’s too early to know exactly what and where bridge projects will be funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). One of the reasons is that a portion of the funding will be awarded by the Department of Transportation directly to communities competing for discretionary grants.
The remainder of funds are being sent directly to the states, where governors and local leaders will decide how to invest it.
The legislation provides for the federal government to distribute the $1.2 trillion in IIJA funds through both new and existing programs. To date, more than $80 billion has been allocated by the federal government to states for roads and highways, bridges, ports, airports, and water systems, according to the Biden administration.
And this represents a large portion of the total of $110 billion that the bill has allocated for roads, bridges, and major transportation projects
With an estimated 42 percent of America’s bridges at least 50 years old and more than seven percent considered “structurally deficient,” this is funding that is long past due. And recent events such as the temporary closing of the Hernando de Soto bridge in Tennessee/Arkansas, and the collapse of the Forbes Avenue bridge in Pittsburgh underscore the point.
The Need for Under Bridge Access Equipment to Meet the Coming Demand
While it may seem a bit optimistic to some, when the increased number of bridge work projects begin to materialize, the need for access equipment such as reliable and high-quality under bridge platforms is going to be pressing.
And the amount of potential bridge work is almost overwhelming.
Take New York state, for example. According to one news report, New York has 1,700 deficient bridges and more than 7,000 miles of highway in poor condition. And, without an infusion of funds from the federal infrastructure bill, these numbers are expected to increase.
The question for residents in New York is whether their state government will act on it.
According to the coalition executive director of the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, Inc.,
“If New York State makes the judicious decision to harness this additional federal aid, it will result in safer bridges and overpasses, create thousands of jobs, generate hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenues, and provide the resources for local and county municipalities to make our transportation safer and more reliable.”
Similar stories are being played out across the United States and local governments and municipalities line up to vye for available funds from the infrastructure bill’s government one-time grant process.
And for those who make their living building, repairing, maintaining, and inspecting highway bridges all across the country, this all promises to bring a potentially huge increase in projects and ongoing bridge work.
Which means an increase in the demand for bridge access equipment and under bridge platforms, both in terms of sales and rentals.
Under Bridge Platforms Wants to Be Your Under Bridge Access Equipment Partner
Whether you are part of a state DOT, an engineering firm, construction company, or a private contractor specializing in bridge work, under bridge access is a constant in your line of work. Consequently, the need for available under bridge access equipment is constant, as well.
Under Bridge Platforms is a professional firm that you can rely on to guide you throughout the process of buying or renting the right under bridge inspection vehicle and bridge inspection platform equipment for your project. Our mission is to always help you make the proper selection.
Our equipment fleet is made up of a variety of different under bridge inspection platform vehicles that feature multiple capabilities. In addition, the structure and the terrain of your project are factors for determining the best choice for your work.
We provide quality under bridge equipment throughout all the Western States, including Utah, California, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon.
Our large and expanding inventory of boom lift trucks and under bridge inspection units includes many quality and high-capacity vehicles, such as the massive HPT 32 Truck Mounted Platform, the versatile DFM Bridgemaster-Art-B-4, and the rugged Aspen Aerials A-30 Bridge Inspection Unit.
We are proud to be the only company in California that offers total under bridge access. By offering high quality customer service, we have managed to build long-lasting relationships with our esteemed customers. And we work hard to keep it that way.
Contact us today to discuss the specific needs for your project.
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