By: Jessica Cihacek
jcihacek@kcautv.com
Construction workers all across the state have a message for congress: Iowa's roads are broken and need to be fixed.
Kim Triggs, with Godbersem-Smith Construction, says, "We never get enough major funding to make a real dent in reconstruction. You know...we barely keep up."
Bridges like the one off Exit 147-A on I–29 in Sioux City, are one of nearly 6,600 in Iowa that are classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
Richie Schmidt, a representative with LiUNA, says, "I'm not saying the is on the verge of collapsing. What I'm saying is they need work. They need to be fixed. You drive under them when chunks of concrete are falling, you have exposed steel..."
And local members of LiUNA or the "Laborer's International Union of North America," are using billboards like these to call attention to the problem.
But crumbling roadways is only part of the issue. The fact that Iowa has lost over 12,000 construction jobs since 2008, is the other.
Workers and union reps rallying for a new, fully invested highway bill, feel congress has the power to address both issues, a they'd like to see our Republican presidential candidates discuss them in the next debate.
One representative, was quoted, saying, "It's time for them to speak up and tell concerned citizens of Iowa what they plan to do about our highways and putting people back to work."
