Caltrans Says More Funds Are Needed For Bridge Upkeep
The chief of California's Transportation Department says the state's bridges are safe, but he acknowledges there is a need for more money to keep them up.
Will Kempton is the director of Caltrans . He says state records show that more than 190 bridges maintained by the agency need attention. He says that includes a span over the Agua Hedionda lagoon in Carlsbad. However, Kempton says there's never enough money to do everything that needs to be done.
Kempton : The needs for maintenance rehabilitation and operation can not be adequately funded with currently available revenues. We did in fact point out that local streets and street and road maintenance backlogs exist and are growing.
Caltrans says 95 percent of the state maintained bridges are in excellent shape.
