May 20, 2014
By Neal Tepel
Washington, DC – The Laborers’ International Union of North America is planning a $1 million advertising campaign to urge Congress to pass a new highway construction bill this year. The ad campaign ties in with a move by President Obama to press for passage of the transportation bill. The current surface transportation bill expires on Sept. 30, and the Highway Trust Fund is projected to run out of funds this summer.
LIUNA General President Terry O’Sullivan said in a statement, “for LIUNA, passage of a highway bill is about jobs, but, as with every American, it’s about ensuring the safety and reliability of our transportation systems.”
The average bridge in the U.S. is 46 years old, close to the average lifespan of 50 years. On average, 25 bridges collapse each year in the U.S. Potholes and poor road conditions contribute to a third of all traffic fatalities every year.
