House panel OKs aid in bridge collapse

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- The chairman of the House Transportation Committee called the Minneapolis bridge collapse "a wake-up call for the nation's infrastructure."

Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., urged an increase in gas taxes to fund road and bridge work across the United States, The Hill reported Friday.

"We have to make more investments," Oberstar told a Thursday news conference.

The collapse in Oberstar's home state killed at least five people and several people remained missing Friday.

The House Transportation Committee has approved $250 million in emergency aid to help Minneapolis recover from the bridge collapse.

The bill was expected to move through the House and Senate and reach President Bush before the congressional August recess, The Hill said.