Patrick calls for swift action on bridge plan

BOSTON. In an effort to fix bridges before they deteriorate, Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday urged swift passage of his act to finance improvements on structurally-deficient spans throughout the Commonwealth.

The Accelerated Bridge Program was pitched in mid-May in response to inspections that found some 543 bridges in the state that were not structurally sound. Using $3 billion in funds from future investments and gas tax bonds, the plan would accelerate the repair of at least 250 of these spans over the next eight years.

Secretary of Transportation Bernard Cohen projects there will be 450 structurally-deficient bridges at the end of the program’s eight years as opposed to roughly 700 if current funding levels are kept in place.

The plan would also create thousands of new construction jobs, according to Patrick.