In response to the August I-35W bridge collapse, New Jersey passed a bill to create a statewide bridge safety program.
The move would direct the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation at Rutgers University to establish the platform. According to the Star-Ledger, the program would enhance the understanding of bridge performance and degradation, foster the development of improved bridge design methods and performance predictions and identify the best methods for building, testing and repairing the state's bridges. The bill appropriates $500,000 for the creation of a grant center to defray the cost of starting the program and at least $1 million a year in future funding.
"We have a great responsibility to the 5.9 million licensed drivers in New Jersey to ensure the continued safety and structural integrity of our state’s bridge network,” New Jersey Assemblyman John Wisniewski told the Star-Ledger. "Preparation now will help prevent catastrophic failures in the future."
