'Fix it First' Program Could Mend 'Deficient' Tosa Area Bridges

President Barack Obama proposed Tuesday night what he called a "Fix It First" program to address the nation's crumbling infrastructure — like roads and bridges — in an effort to improve citizens' quality of life and bring jobs to the United States.

There are a number of structurally deficient bridges Obama referred to in the Wauwatosa area, according to Transportation for America. 

"I propose a 'Fix-It-First' program to put people to work as soon as possible on our most urgent repairs, like the nearly 70,000 structurally deficient bridges across the country," Obama said during the State of the Union Address.

"And to make sure taxpayers don’t shoulder the whole burden, I’m also proposing a Partnership to Rebuild America that attracts private capital to upgrade what our businesses need most — modern ports to move goods; modern pipelines to withstand a storm; modern schools worthy of our children."

Below are some of those bridges considered structually deficient that might affect Wauwatosa drivers in Milwaukee County:

• IH 894 WB-ZOO INTR, Crosses USH 45 SB-ZOO INTERCHANGE
• USH 45 NB-ZOO INTR, Crosses IH 94 EB-ZOO INTERCHANGE
• USH RAMP USH 45 SB,Crosses USH 45 NB-ZOO INTERCHANGE
• USH 18 EB-BLUE MOUND RD, Crosses USH 45-ZOO FREEWAY
• LRD W WISCONSIN AVE, Crosses USH 45-ZOO FREEWAY
• USH 18-W BLUE MOUND RD, Crosses UNDERWOOD CREEK
• LRD S 76TH ST, Crosses IH 94-E-W FREEWAY
• STH 190-CAPITOL DR, Crosses BR MENOMONEE RIVER
• LRD W CLEVELAND AVE, Crosses IH 894-USH 45
• LRD CEMETERY ACCESS, Crosses IH 94-E-W FREEWAY
• LRD W WELLS ST, Crosses USH 41-STADIUM FREEWAY

Data indicates that over 42,000 cars daily use the bridge USH 45 NB-Zoo Interchange and over 20,000 cars use USH 18-W Blue Mound Road, crossing Underwood Creek.

See the accompanying map for a look at other deficient bridges, which are indicated in red.

Overall, Wisconsin ranks 37th in the country when it comes to inadequate bridges with about 8.2 percent of all its bridges rated as such.

That may change if Obama has anything to say about it.

"Let’s prove that there is no better place to do business than the United States of America," he said Tuesday. "And let’s start right away."

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