bridge reconstruction and replacement

bridge reconstruction and replacement Sec. 204. (a) Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof a new section as follows: “§ 144. Special bridge replacement program “(a) Congress hereby finds and declares it to be in the, vital interest of the Nation that a special bridge replacement, program be established to enable the several States to replace bridges over waterways or other topographical barriers when the States and the Secretary finds that the bridge is significantly important and is unsafe because of structural deficiencies, physical deterioration, or functional obsolescence. 84 Stat. 1742 “(b) The Secretary in consultation with the States shall (1) inventory all bridges located on any of the Federal-aid systems over waterways and other topographical barriers of the United States; (2) classify them according to their serviceability, safety, and essentiality for public use; and (3) based on that classification, assign each a priority for replacement. “(c) Whenever any State or States make, application to the Secretary for assistance in replacing a bridge which the priority system, established under subsection (b) of this section, shows to be eligible, the Secretary may approve Federal participation in the reconstruction of a comparable facility. In approving projects under this section, the Secretary shall give consideration to those projects which will remove from service bridges which are most in danger of failure and give consideration to the economy of the area involved. Approval of projects and allocation of funds under this section shall be without regard to allocation or apportionment formulas otherwise established under this title. “(d) The Federal share payable on account of any bridge replacement under this section shall not exceed 75 per centum of the cost thereof. “(e) For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section, there are hereby authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund, $100,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1972; and $150,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, to be available until expended. Such funds shall be available for obligation at the beginning of the fiscal year for which authorized in the same manner and to the same extent as if such funds were apportioned under this chapter. “(f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law the General Bridge Act of 1946 (S3 U.S.C. 525–533) shall apply to bridges authorized to be reconstructed and bridges constructed to replace unsafe bridges under this section. “(g) The Secretary shall report annually on projects approved under this section with any recommendations he may have for further improvement in the special bridge replacement program authorized in accordance with this section.” (b) The analysis of chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “144. Special bridge replacement program.”