In 2013, the American Society of Civil Engineers listed that a study showed one in nine of the nation's bridges are rated as structurally deficient, while the average age of the nation's 607,380 bridges is currently 42 years. Of course that would now be 45 years. In fact, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that to eliminate the nation's bridge deficient backlog by 2028, the United States would need to invest $20.5 billion annually, while only $12.8 billion is being spent currently. The challenge for federal, state, and local governments is to increase bridge investments by $8 billion annually to address the identified $76 billion in needs for deficient bridges across the United States.

What does all that mean? Basically there are lots of bridges all across this great nation that are not, and will not, be repaired or replaced any time soon. So we should consider ourselves lucky that the Hudson Street Bridge, just south of downtown Silver City is being replaced.

In the 2012 ASCE Report Card for New Mexico's Infrastructure, the study showed that 298 of the 3,935 bridges in New Mexico (7.6%) are considered structurally deficient and 356 of the 3,935 bridges in New Mexico (9%) are considered functionally obsolete. That's 16.6 % of our bridges in New Mexico that need to be repaired or replaced. Thank goodness the Hudson Street Bridge replacement project is beginning very soon. Silver City and Grant County is very fortunate that our bridge, a major transportation artery, is being replaced now.

Will there be some inconveniences? Absolutely. Will there be extra noise in the area of the bridge during this construction project? Of course there will be noise. Will some people detour through residential areas rather than take the Bypass Road detour? Sure, there will be added traffic on some streets that usually get very few cars. Will it hurt the Blues Festival, the Tour of the Gila, July 4th Celebration or events during the Labor Day Weekend? No... people will still attend all the local functions and they will have a great time.

Let's get past some of the criticisms about the construction of a new bridge and celebrate the fact that we are actually getting a new bridge. When you look at the big picture, we really are fortunate that our bridge is being replaced... and it will be a great asset to our local transportation infrastructure way past many of our lifetimes. So I say "Thank You" for building this new bridge in Silver City.

Speaking of transportation, have you flown on one of the Boutique Air planes between Silver City and Albuquerque? On a usual flight, you can fly from Grant County to Albuquerque in less than an hour... and if you book your flight early enough, you may pay only $59 (one-way) for that flight. Commercial air service to Grant County is a great asset for our community.

I would like to invite you to hear more about Boutique Air on Tuesday, April 28. Mathew Butcher, Director of Operations, will be the guest speaker at the Gila EDA Roundtable meeting at 10 a.m. in the WNMU Light Hall Theater. He has a great story to tell about Boutique Air and the possibilities of future essential air service for Grant County. The meeting is free of charge, and it's open to the public.

Whether we're discussing a new bridge or discussing commercial air service for Grant County, we should be very thankful for both. Grant County, New Mexico... man, this is a great area to live in.