The abrupt collapse on Wednesday of a key bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis -- and the horrifying loss of life caused by it -- reminds us of an important truth: The nation's infrastructure cannot be neglected.

The Interstate 35W span was inspected two years ago, when structural deficiencies were found, according to the White House. The state of Minnesota was responsible for making the repairs, according to White House spokesman Tony Snow.

But we know that Minnesota, like many states, including Michigan, has been wrestling with how to pay to maintain an aging transportation infrastructure. Although the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill that would have increased spending on roads and bridges, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed it because it included an increase in the state's gasoline tax.

We know the issue well in Michigan, where, according to the Federal Highway Administration, 28 percent of the state's bridges are either structurally deficient -- showing significant deterioration -- or are functionally obsolete, which means they no longer meet modern design standards or are no longer adequate for the increasing traffic volume they bear.

Last year, a report card by The Road Information Program -- or TRIP -- a Washington, D.C., transportation research group, gave the condition of Michigan's bridges a `D.' Because of the condition of its bridges, TRIP named Michigan one of the 10 worst states in the nation.

The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association -- a coalition of business, construction and union organizations -- is campaigning for an increase in Michigan's gasoline tax to boost funding for road and bridge maintenance and construction. The association is advocating for a 9-cent increase in the state gas tax, which is now 19 cents a gallon. Thirty-nine states have higher gasoline taxes than has Michigan.

A bipartisan group of state representatives have said they'll introduce legislation to increase the state gasoline tax by 3 cents a year for three years.

If it were to pass the Legislature, it's likely Gov. Jennifer Granholm, unlike Pawlenty, would sign it.

Michigan's gasoline tax was last raised 10 years ago, by 4 cents. But its buying power has eroded over time by gradual inflation.

For the sake of safety and to preserve the important network of roads and bridges that keeps the economy going, the nation's aging transportation infrastructure needs an infusion of funding. It could cost $65 billion alone to repair deficient bridges, according to TRIP, quoted in USA Today.

Transportation advocacy groups, like TRIP, the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers, have long worried that the condition of the nation's roads and bridges could be a ticking time bomb.

It seems like their warnings have fallen on deaf ears as far as government officials and the public.

After this tragedy in Minneapolis, we hope they're listening now.