Biden sells infrastructure law in visit to 'structurally deficient' New Hampshire bridge
The bridge has been on the state's "red list" since 2013, requiring inspections twice a year because of poor conditions.President Joe Biden on Tuesday visited an 82-year-old steel bridge in rural New Hampshire that he pointed to as an example of how one of his biggest legislative victories will benefit communities across the country.
Biden said the bridge, which crosses the Pemigewasset River in the town of Woodstock, is just one of hundreds in urgent need of repair. The newly enacted infrastructure law, he said, will give states the funding to tackle those projects.
"This law is a blue collar blueprint to rebuild America and leaves nobody behind," Biden said.
The president also talked about how the $555 billion measure will expand broadband access, replace lead pipes and address the effects of climate change.
The bipartisan package will pump billions into shoring up the nation's roads, bridges, airports and seaports.
Tuesday’s event in New Hampshire, a day after a bill signing ceremony at the White House, is the first in a series of trips Biden and top administration officials plan to make to sell the infrastructure law to voters, with less than a year before the 2022 midterm elections. Biden is slated to travel to Detroit on Wednesday to meet with UAW workers who are building the next generation of electric vehicles.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, along with first lady Jill Biden and Cabinet officials will be making a similar push for the infrastructure law, the White House said.
Those efforts come alongside the administration’s goal to pass a $1.75 trillion social safety net bill that could be voted on by the House as early as this week. Biden said Tuesday he was confident that House lawmakers would pass the bill in the coming days.
The bridge in Woodstock has been on New Hampshire's "red list" since 2013, meaning it’s considered "structurally deficient" and requires inspections twice a year.
Biden said the bridge can only carry 20 ton trucks, rather than 40 ton trucks, and that without the bridge it would be a 10 mile detour to cross the river.
"These bridges are essential in small towns, rural areas, to farmers and small businesses, like in my state of Delaware," Biden said.
Biden's visit comes after the state's Republican governor, Chris Sununu, said he would not run for the U.S. Senate. Sununu was a top GOP recruit to take on incumbent Democrat Maggie Hassan, and his decision to instead seek re-election delivered a blow to the party's hopes of regaining control of the Senate. Polls have found Hassan vulnerable to a strong challenge.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-sell-infrastructure-law-visit-structurally-deficient-new-hampshire-bridge-n1283931President Biden leaves New Hampshire after speaking on infrastructure bill
President touches on some of $1.2 trillion bill's benefits for Granite StatersWOODSTOCK, N.H. — Speaking in front of an 82-year-old bridge in Woodstock that is sorely in need of repair, President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill he signed into law will help fix it and the 214 other red-listed bridges in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire was Biden's first stop after signing the bill Monday. Amid light snow flurries, he spoke at the Route 175 bridge over the Pemigewasset River, which is a key route for emergency vehicles.
"This may not seem like a big bridge, but it saves lives and it solves problems," Biden said. "Let me tell you why: Businesses depend on it. Like the local propane company, or the sand and gravel company, or logging trucks. Public services depend on it, school buses, wastewater trucks cross it every day. It's essential to Woodstock Fire Station about a quarter-mile away. Without this bridge, as I said earlier, it's a 10-mile detour just to get to the other side."
The bridge has been red-listed since 2013, meaning it needs major repairs.
"Thanks to the infrastructure law, we’re going to make the most significant investment to modernize our roads and our bridges in 70 years. The law is going to speed up replacement of bridges by at least a year and allow New Hampshire to invest in other critical infrastructure needs," Biden said.
The president said neglecting road and bridge infrastructure is costly to Granite Staters.
"You have about 700 miles of highway in New Hampshire that’s listed in poor condition," Biden said. "Driving on these roads that need repair costs New Hampshire drivers an estimated extra $476 every year per person driving in gasoline, repairs and long commute times. That's $476 in hidden taxes on New Hampshire drivers as a result of deteriorating infrastructure."
Biden touted other parts of the infrastructure bill, such as replacing lead pipes and dealing with water contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
"Every American, every child should be able to turn on the faucet and drink clean water, which will also create thousands of good-paying jobs for plumbers and pipefitters replacing these pipes," Biden said.
He praised New Hampshire's congressional delegation, saying they pushed for other items, such as expanding high-speed internet.
"Today, one in every 10 New Hampshire households doesn't have internet subscriptions. And in a lot of places, there's no broadband infrastructure at all," Biden said. "And the law is going to make high-speed internet affordable and available everywhere in New Hampshire -- urban, suburban and rural. It's going to create jobs laying down those broadband lines in the 21st century America."
The president specifically cited U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen for her efforts to bring the bill across the finish line.
"(Shaheen was) the key member of this bipartisan group of senators that negotiated this infrastructure deal. You’re calm, common sense, as usual, always leads the way. I mean that sincerely," Biden said.
Earlier Tuesday, Biden was greeted at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport by Gov. Chris Sununu, who sent a letter to Biden raising several questions about the federal infrastructure funds. He said New Hampshire receives the lowest funding nationwide for highway programs and asked if Biden is willing to work with Congress for more equitable funding in the future.
Sununu also asked how much flexibility states will have in allocating the federal funds.
The governor met Biden at the airport and said in a written statement that the two had "a very pleasant conversation" in which they discussed inflation and workforce shortages, along with rising fuel costs.
https://www.wmur.com/article/joe-biden-woodstock-new-hampshire-11162021/38264578