SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
The nation's highway system is used by millions of people everyday.
So, it's only a matter of time before roads and bridges need to be repaired, or replaced.
But that takes money and a lot of it.
The highway bill is a piece of legislation aimed at funding those road and highway projects by using money generated by the federal gas tax.
The previous highway bill expired in October 2009, with Congress passing several extensions.
But, studies on the state of Iowa's infrastructure show thousands of bridges need repair.
"There's a standard set out by the Department of Transportation. They have people on the ground that survey and inspect bridges on a routine basis. So far what the bridges they have surveyed in Iowa they found 6,599 to either be deficient or obsolete," said Ritchie Schmidt, from the Great Plains Laborers District Council.
Thousands of cars criss-cross bridges like this one everyday in Iowa.
But according to a US Department of Transportation study, thousands of bridges similar to this one have major problems.
"We need to get these bridges repaired because the transportation infrastructure is the lifeline for commerce," said Bill Gerhard president of the Iowa State Builders and Construction Trades Council.
Monday, representatives from the Laborers' International Union of North America rallied at the I-29 exit by Floyd Boulevard to highlight the highway bill.
"Our goal is to put on the forefront of the national discussion," said Richie Schmidt from the Great Plains Laborers District Council.
Laborers at the rally want to bring Iowa's infrastructure up to code and to bring in thousands of jobs.
"There's not a lot of jobs around here. Our roads are kind of bad around here. We need to upgrade them and do more work for the community," said Garry Hill from Onawa, Iowa.
"To give us the opportunity to bid on those projects hopefully and successfully win those projects and then hire laborers and put people to work," said Kim Triggs, Vice President of Godbersen-Smith Construction Company.
While the rally is on the local front, organizers here want to bring their issue to Washington.
"Is to continue to lobby Congress and work in conjunction with stake holders in the transportation business," said Triggs.
In a written statement Tom Senator Harkin says:
"Investing in Iowa's infrastructure not only improves our ability to travel in the state and is crucial for our competitiveness in a world economy, but it also creates jobs. I commend these Iowans for drawing attention to the highway bill and I join them in hoping this bill becomes a reality."
