asian build san francisco railroad story

However, it was named in a longer, print version of Cuomo’s report that ran on ABC News’ website that same day. The third project - a $190 million project in Alaska - went unnamed in the ABC News broadcast. The Times did not, however, say whether any federal funding was involved. and hires only union workers at New York City job sites. The Times story said the logo of the company - a New Jersey-based subsidiary of a state-controlled construction company in China - “is becoming a familiar sight at public works projects around New York City.” It also said the company employs 500 employees in the U.S. The New York Times did a short story on China Construction America, the company that won the Alexander Hamilton Bridge contract. The broadcast mentioned a $400 million project to repair the Alexander Hamilton Bridge in New York, but it provided no details on it. If states can get around them, Diane, we’ll never bring America back.” (By the way, Cuomo is the son of former New York Gov. California officials say the state saved hundreds of millions of dollars by turning to China.Ĭalifornia decided not to apply for federal funding for the project because the “Buy America” provisos would probably have required purchasing more expensive steel and fabrication from United States manufacturers.Īt the end of his report, ABC News reporter Chris Cuomo says, “That’s why the Buy America laws were passed. But construction of the bridge decks and the materials that went into them are a Made in China affair. New York Times, June 25, 2011: The assembly work in California, and the pouring of the concrete road surface, will be done by Americans. From a story in the New York Times last year: The broadcast failed to note, however, that only some jobs, not all, will go to China as a result. But state officials decided to turn down federal money for a major part of the bridge, allowing a Chinese company to get the job.ĪBC News interviewed a CalTrans official who said the Chinese firm could provide the fabricated bridge decks more quickly because U.S. firms say they would have met those guidelines. law actually requires major infrastructure projects to Buy America when the cost difference is reasonable. ABC News explained how and why the Chinese firm wound up with the contract, beginning with a decision by the California transportation department not to accept federal funds.ĪBC News, Sept. But it gave details on only one project - a $7.2 billion repair of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. 23, 2011, broadcast, ABC News reported on bridge repair contracts going to Chinese firms in three states: Alaska, New York and California. It didn’t mention federal funds - let alone stimulus funds - except to note that California turned down federal money to avoid federal “Buy American” laws and hire a Chinese firm. But the report pointedly said states were to blame. It’s true that ABC News did a report on Chinese firms winning contracts to repair U.S. This email is an example of how things get distorted and go viral - even when the facts are just a click away. by improving our infrastructure is so typical of all his promises! The lead-in with Obama promising jobs in the U.S. (It was also shocking that ABC was actually reporting this story.) Shocking to say the least! This video is a jaw-dropper that will make you sick. Bridges and Roads Being Built by Chinese Firms and yet Obama has approved for Chinese contractors to come in and do the work. bridge projects going to the Chinese…NOT Americans. California officials hired a Chinese contractor and rejected federal money to avoid federal “Buy American” laws.ĭiane Sawyer reporting on U.S. A viral email distorts an ABC News report. bridges with stimulus money, as reported by ABC News?Ī: No. Q: Is President Obama responsible for Chinese companies building U.S.

Asian build san francisco railroad story