Article Summary –
Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has rallied all 17 members of the state’s U.S. House of Representatives delegation to request federal funds for the replacement of the deteriorating I-83 South Bridge over the Susquehanna River, citing the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as a possible source of funding. The Infrastructure Act made federal dollars available to repair and replace infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and water systems. Despite seven Republican signatories having voted against the Infrastructure Act, the delegation sent a collective letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg arguing that the bridge replacement is critical and currently unfunded.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Requests Federal Funding for Deteriorating I-83 South Bridge
Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania spearheaded a request for federal discretionary funds to replace the decaying I-83 South Bridge over the Susquehanna River, gathering support from all 17 members of the Pennsylvania U.S. House of Representatives delegation. The joint appeal pointed to President Joe Biden’s 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as the potential funding source, despite opposition from seven Republican signatories.
In their letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the state representatives highlighted the urgent and currently unfunded need to replace the bridge connecting Dauphin and Cumberland Countys. They stressed the potential of the I-83 South Bridge project to benefit from federal discretionary funding under the IIJA, as other high-priority bridge developments have.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Act released federal funds for various infrastructure improvements including roads, bridges, and broadband access. In Pennsylvania, this allocation has bolstered manufacturing jobs, enhanced water infrastructure, and allowed for the replacement of Pittsburgh’s Fern Hollow Bridge.
Sen. Casey approved the act, dubbing it a game-changer for Pennsylvania; yet some Republican representatives, including John Joyce and Mike Kelly, voted against it, criticising the act as a Socialist Spending Spree.
Despite their initial opposition, numerous House Republicans have been keen to reap the benefits of the infrastructure funding. Interestingly, former President Trump, despite his unfulfilled promises of infrastructure improvements, tried unsuccessfully to block the passing of Biden’s law.
Sen. Casey seeks reelection in November, against Republican opponent Dave McCormick who has ambitiously expressed his desire to repeal the infrastructure law, blaming it for a purported surge in inflation.
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