'We're going to fix them all,' Biden says after Pittsburgh bridge collapse
President Biden was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday, where he visited the site of a bridge that collapsed only hours before his arrival, Reuters reported.
According to NBC News, Biden was joined by Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey (D) as well as Rep. Connor Lamb and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, both of whom are seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by retiring Sen. Pat Toomey (R).
Ten people were injured after the snow-covered Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh's Point Breeze neighborhood collapsed Friday morning, KDKA Pittsburgh reported. Three people were taken to the hospital. There were no fatalities.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
President Biden made a scheduled visit to Pittsburgh only hours after the collapse. "The idea that we have been so far behind on infrastructure, for so many years — it's just mind-boggling," he said. "We're going to fix them all. Not a joke, this is going to be a gigantic change."
The purpose of Biden's visit was to promote his $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which he signed in November.
During his remarks, Biden also pointed out that the bridge was in "decrepit condition," just like "another 3,300 bridges here in Pennsylvania" and "43,000 nationwide," he said, citing Department of Transportation figures.
Since the collapse, several Twitter users have drawn attention to a 2018 tweet from one Dr. G Kochanski, who posted a picture of the bridge's underside and tagged the Pittsburgh 311 Response Center. "I hope someone is keeping an eye on the underside of the [bridge]," Kochanski wrote. "One of the big 'X' beams is rusted through entirely."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The US presidents who decided not to run for a second term
The Explainer Joe Biden's decision to end his re-election campaign was shocking, but there's a long history of presidents who've bowed out on a chance at four more years
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What has Kamala Harris done as vice president?
In Depth It's not uncommon for the second-in-command to struggle to prove themselves in a role largely defined by behind-the-scenes work
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'Spare us the charade'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
How Biden's enablers may have delayed his bowing out
Talking Points Joe Biden's inner circle faces calls for a reckoning for allegedly shielding the president — and the public — from questions of aging and electoral viability
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden ends reelection bid, endorses Harris
Speed Read The sitting president gave his VP full support to replace him atop the Democratic ticket
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Can Kamala Harris beat Trump?
Today's Big Question Some senior Democrats are unsure the vice-president can win in November even as party closes ranks behind her
By The Week UK Published
-
Pelosi and Obama add to doubts over Biden
Speed Read Both Democrats think the president should reconsider his reelection campaign, insiders say
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published