"We can't afford to have any other bridges falling down in America and make us the laughing stock of the work," said Rep. Oberstar said, who chairs the House Transportation Committee.

He got a tour of the new 35W bridge Sunday afternoon. He also visited the Hastings bridge, which is scheduled to be replaced starting in 2010.

The Hastings bridge wasn't supposed to be replaced for at least ten years. But now there's money to start in 2010 because the state legislature approved a state gas-tax hike this year.

"This is evidence of forward thinking," Oberstar said. He's pushing for more investment in transportation at the federal level and feels a federal gas tax hike should be part of the equation.

"A five-cent increase today would be a miniscule one percent of the total cost of gasoline," Oberstar said.

But with gas prices at record levels, some lawmakers and drivers are not thrilled about any increases.

"I'd rather see them spend the money they do have more wisely," said Phil Nereson, who was visiting the 35W bridge Sunday afternoon.

The House of Represenatives could vote this week on Oberstar's new bridge program, which would increase standards for inspecting and maintaining bridges. He says that will allow the government to take inventory and figure out how many bridges should be replaced.

He says Congress can discuss funding and whether to raise the gas tax next spring.