As Twitchy reported Friday, a bridge just a few miles away from where President Joe Biden was to tout the infrastructure bill in Pittsburgh collapsed just ahead of Biden’s visit. Blue-checks on Twitter were angrier at Sen. Pat Toomey, who voted against the infrastructure bill, than they were at Gov. Tom Wolf. Pittsburgh says it fixed this particular problem in 2019 and the bridge passed inspection in 2021, although a viral tweet from 2018 showed one of the big “X” beams rusted through entirely.
Wolf joined in on shaming all of the Republicans who voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
Shame on the Republican lawmakers who didn't support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Pennsylvanian lives are on the line. It's long past time for the political games to come to an end.
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) January 28, 2022
A lot of people have been tweeting in response this piece saying the bridge was not targeted for repairs under the infrastructure bill anyway:
The Pittsburgh bridge that collapsed early Friday, injuring 10 people, was in poor condition and not targeted for improvements under the federal infrastructure bill, state records show. https://t.co/uQApefwkxE
— NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington) January 29, 2022
A lot of Pennsylvanians are wondering where all the money from gas taxes and toll roads went.
— Bayou_Lou 🍊 (@lou_bayou) January 29, 2022
This editor will never tire of that GIF.
This tweet is a political game, fool
— The H2 (@TheH2) January 28, 2022
The bridge was scheduled to be repaired in 2016.
Democrats diverted the funds to little-used bicycle lanes and "green energy" programs that benefitted campaign donors.
— Donny Ferguson (@DonnyFerguson) January 29, 2022
Pittsburgh spent millions for bike lanes and woke shit.
— Harold, 2022 Cat of the Year (@HaroldtheCatLOL) January 29, 2022
Ummm last I checked you oversee the department responsible for inspecting and closing unsafe bridges. Way to pass the buck though!
— Matthew Hille (@mahille02) January 29, 2022
If you would not keep diverting gas tax revenues to the state police, the bridges would be in much better shop. Pennsylvanians went along with the gas tax increase because they thought it would get the bridges fixed, not pay for government employees.
— Troncelliti Law (@TroncellitiLaw) January 28, 2022
Also, we have the 2nd highest gas taxes because of roads and bridges, but that money props SEPTA up. Maybe quit misappropriating tax dollars you already have? Where is the Johnstown Flood Tax money going? Damn sure isn't Johnstown
— Phoenix Maximus (@PhoenixMaximus1) January 29, 2022
Maybe use gas tax funds for infrastructure and not the state police/lining your pockets.
— Al (@Al0469) January 28, 2022
You signed a state budget that spends almost $40B. It’s not about money – it’s about YOUR priorities. This is on YOU.
— EJ Hill (@EJHill_PSC) January 29, 2022
The bill passed anyway, didn’t it? And yet this bridge still collapsed.
— Jonofarcadia 🦬 (@jonofarcadia) January 29, 2022
Did you not get the memo? The bipartisan infrastructure bill did get signed into law even though only 8-10% will be going to ACTUAL infrastructure for the entire country! Also infrastructure bills pass about every 5 yrs no matter who occupies the White House! 🤷🏼♀️
— Fran Nashar (@JetsOnly) January 29, 2022
Seeing as how that particular bridge is not included in the infrastructure bill, I blame the governor who has been in office for seven years and did nothing to fix the bridge that was visibly falling apart.
— David Willford (@Dave_Willford) January 29, 2022
Shame on you for this.
You should delete your account and issue an apology for trying to blame Republicans for your own failures. https://t.co/vV9fa1y4o2
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) January 29, 2022
Bridges don’t collapse because future spending won’t take place. They collapse because of year upon year of neglected maintenance or unnoticed flaws under previous budgets.
Using a current collapse to push broad future political priorities is just shameful demagoguery.
— John Barton (@bartjw) January 29, 2022
What have you done regarding infrastructure since you were in office. Name something before you blame others. Last I checked the state is responsible for their roads and bridges.
— George Heslin (@geoheslin) January 28, 2022
— Cathy A. Salazar (@LvlyWords) January 29, 2022
So the reason this bridge collapsed is because the feds didn't step in and do something about it? What is it that you do again?
— Drew (@AmmoMfg) January 28, 2022
Where did all the money collected from toll roads and gas taxes go?
Related:
Blue-checks are angrier at GOP Sen. Toomey for voting against the infrastructure bill than they are at Dem Gov. Wolf for not fixing the bridge https://t.co/Rx7aQUB9wH
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 29, 2022
Join the conversation as a VIP Member