Higher Gas Tax Proposed to Fix Bridges

In this image released by the U.S. Navy, Navy divers set up a base of operations aboard the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Crane Barge at the wreckage of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, in Minneapolis. Divers from the Navy and the FBI had joined local law enforcement divers in the effort to recover eight people who remain missing and are presumed dead among the debris after the bridge collapsed last Wednesday. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Joshua Adam Nuzzo) (Joshua Adam Nuzzo - AP)

WASHINGTON -- The chairman of the House Transportation Committee proposed a 5-cent increase in the federal gasoline tax to establish a new trust fund for repairing or replacing structurally deficient highway bridges.

However, Rep. Jim Oberstar's proposal, in the wake of last week's bridge collapse in Minneapolis, was immediately panned by his committee's senior Republican.

"A knee-jerk reaction to the critical problem facing our transportation and infrastructure systems will only result in a continued failure to address the deteriorating conditions of our highways, ports, airports and rail systems," Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., said in a statement. "It's like owning an 80-year-old house that has serious problems with the plumbing, the heating, the foundation and a leaking roof, and saying you're going to fix the driveway."

Mica called instead for the development of a national strategic transportation plan.

Across the country, more than 70,000 bridges are rated structurally deficient, including the bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis, according to the Transportation Department. The American Society of Civil Engineers says repairing them all would require spending at least $9.4 billion a year for 20 years.

Oberstar said the trust fund would be modeled on the federal Highway Trust Fund, which pays for building and repairing roads and bridges through federal excise tax on gasoline that is now 18.3 cents a gallon. Revenue from the nickel increase _ about $25 billion over three years, according to the congressman _ could be used only for bridges.

He said he hoped the idea might win support from President Bush, who vehemently opposed a 5-cent increase in gasoline taxes two years ago.

"Governor (Tim) Pawlenty has had a conversion, and I expect the president will as well," Oberstar said. "At least we'll give him that opportunity. If you're not prepared to invest another 5 cents in bridge reconstruction and road reconstruction, then God help you."

Last week, the Minnesota governor said he is willing to reverse his long-standing opposition to a state gas tax increase.

The federal Transportation Department declined to take sides. "We welcome a serious conversation about the need to make transportation investments based on safety and economic priorities instead of political interests," the department said in a statement. "We need to find a better way to invest existing federal funds where they are most needed, however, before committing to significant new tax increases."

Oberstar's proposal would require the Transportation Department to come up with a formula for distributing funds based on public safety and need. Neither Bush nor lawmakers could "earmark" specific projects to get money.

Oberstar said he had a commitment from House Democratic leaders to bring the bill to the House floor as quickly as possible when Congress returns in September.

Speaking Wednesday in Boston, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., pledged to support legislative efforts to repair the nation's aging bridges, roads and schools.

"Our sadness must at least be met with a commitment to address our infrastructure shortcomings. It's a huge task," Pelosi told the National Conference of State Legislatures.

___

Associated Press writers Ken Maguire in Boston and Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.