Today, Rep. David Price, Kinston Mayor Don Hardy, Sebastian Feculak, Political Coordinator for the International Association of Ironworkers Mid Atlantic, and North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Bobbie Richardson held a virtual press conference celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Biden-Harris administration and touting the recently-announced investments headed to North Carolina to help repair and rebuild bridges. In North Carolina, $91.4 million will be allocated in Fiscal Year 2022 and $456.8 million over five years to repair and rebuild the 1,460 bridges in poor condition across the state.
Bridges are essential for getting North Carolinians safely to work, school and transporting goods to businesses across rural, suburban, urban, and tribal communities in our state. While the entire North Carolina Democratic congressional delegation voted to pass President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, every Republican U.S. House Member from North Carolina opposed the historic legislation. Republican candidates for U.S. Senate Ted Budd, Pat McCrory, and Mark Walker all oppose the infrastructure investments, too.
“This historic investment is not only necessary for the improvement of our state’s bridges and the safety of travelers – it will put North Carolinians to work and ensure equity for communities all across North Carolina. Our future is brighter thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the leadership of the Biden-Harris administration,” said Congressman David Price.
“Many bridges near Kinston and in Eastern North Carolina are in desperate need of repair – like a section of Hardy Bridge Road in Lenoir County. The two bridges on Hardy Bridge Road now under construction were both built in 1954 and have weight restrictions, which limited and put constraints on their usage for years. The new bridges replacing them will have no weight limits and also be wider – making it easier for drivers to access and increasing economic opportunity in Lenoir County by helping trucks transport goods. This is a game-changer for Kinston, and these improvements to our infrastructure wouldn’t be possible without President Biden’s leadership to get the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law across the finish line,” said Kinston Mayor Don Hardy.
“Fixing these aging bridges will improve public safety, support economic growth, and make lives better. It’s a shame Republicans from the U.S. House delegation in North Carolina and U.S. Senate candidates Ted Budd, Pat McCrory, and Mark Walker all opposed this vital funding,” said NCDP Chair Bobbie Richardson.
“As a union of 128,000 construction and fabrication workers across North America, infrastructure is near to ironworkers’ hearts. This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is what America has been waiting for. The bill includes the funding needed to fix crumbling roads and bridges and would catapult rail, transit, air, and water infrastructure into world-leading status. These investments would put many thousands of ironworkers to work, enabling us to take care of our families for the coming years,” said Sebastian Feculak.
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