WASHINGTON, D.C. –

The U.S. House of Representatives announced a $260 billion plan on Tuesday to rebuild or repair thousands of roads and bridges over five years.

If the proposal goes through, some officials said some of the 3,600 structurally deficient bridges in Ohio and West Virginia could be repaired.

– WEB EXTRA: Click here to view a map of deficient bridges in the Ohio Valley (Source: Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group Transportation For America) 

Ohio Rep. Bob Gibbs, a Republican who represents the 18th district, said the Ohio Department of Transportation would likely decide what gets done first.

“There are no earmarks in this bill. In the last bill there were 6,000. We’re giving states the flexibility to determine how to use the money,” Gibbs said.

If the House’s plan is approved, the money would be distributed to all 50 states.

Congress wants to formally approve the plan in the upcoming months, but the sticking point is how to pay the $260 billion tab. The House wants the government to allow more offshore oil drilling and use the royalties to fix roads and bridges.

There is also talk increasing the gasoline tax to foot the bill, but that idea is wildly unpopular, officials said.

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