Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

I’m listening to the news today and Bush is in the Mideast asking the Saudi’s to increase production because high energy prices are harmful to our economy. The same day the report from the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission comes out recommending the federal gas tax be increased by 40 cents over five years.

Panel: Increase gas tax to fix roadways
The report also calls for rebuilding and expanding the national rail network to meet a growing demand for alternatives to congested highways.

Continuing to apply patches to the nation’s aging infrastructure is “no longer acceptable,” and without dramatic changes, “the nation’s system of transportation will further deteriorate,” according to the report, portions of which were read to the AP.

The complete report is a 125 mb (report page here). You can download a piece at a time if you want. I only downloaded the Table of Contents and Volume one and it was enough to make my head hurt. Not because it’s a tough read, but because of all the idiotic plans and the things they should be doing now with our money. They actually think congestion pricing works. If someone wants to check and see how much diesel is going up let me know.

Here’s Breitbart TV with more details out of the report.

The nation’s infrastructure is deteriorating, but the Minneapolis Bridge collapse was caused by a design flaw revealed today.

Bridge that collapsed had design flaw
WASHINGTON (AP) — A design error led to undersized gusset plates used in the Interstate 35-W bridge in Minneapolis, which collapsed last year, killing 13 people and injuring 100, the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday.

Rosenker said the agency’s investigation found no evidence that cracking, corrosion or other wear “played any role in the collapse of the bridge.” They also found no flaws in the steel and concrete material used in the bridge.

So even if they get the gas tax (and diesel) increase, how about spending the money on the highways, instead of bridges to nowhere and museums! And when you do fix the infrastructure, fix it right the first time!