Transylvania County is the land of waterfalls, and waterfalls mean rivers, and rivers mean bridges. But our bridges have been deteriorating, many needing repair or replacement. Over the last four years, however, federal support for infrastructure projects fizzled under the former president, who never delivered his promised “huge infrastructure deal.”

By July of last year, the revitalized N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) had already identified three bridge projects for Transylvania County – a new Wilson Road bridge over the French Broad, the Davidson River Connector bridge, which is now complete, and a pedestrian bridge across the Davidson River.  

Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, North Carolina will receive more than $91 million to repair and rebuild 1,460 bridges in poor condition in Fiscal Year 2022 and $456.8 million over five years.

This could substantially increase the number of projects in Transylvania County, creating new jobs and income, increasing road safety, and better support the traffic from seasonal visitors who are critical for our local economy.

While the entire North Carolina Democratic congressional delegation voted to pass President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, every Republican U.S. House member from North Carolina opposed the historic legislation. Republican candidates for U.S. Senate Ted Budd, Pat McCrory, and Mark Walker all oppose the infrastructure investments, too.

Thanks again to the Democrats, we’re moving ahead. And the Republicans who opposed Biden’s plan? Even though they tried to defeat Build Back Better, they’re happy to take credit for it anyway if they can. 

The voters know which party is working hard to deliver improvements and create jobs in Transylvania County.  Let’s turn out for the Democrats in November.

Sam Edney, chairman, Transylvania County Democrats