It is unfortunate that David Feldman is so out of touch with the facts on both the Williams Bridge project on Interstate 64 outside Williamsburg and on the technologically advanced state of today's steel industry ["Big Steel, Bad Gridlock," op-ed, Aug. 11]. If he were to visit an American steel plant today, he would see a clean, highly automated operation, evidence of the transformation of the steel industry over the past 20 years into a world leader among manufacturing industries.

On the Williams Bridge project, there has been a contractor delay. But it is not because of a shortage of rolled steel beams, rolled steel plate or any type of U.S.-made steel, a fact the National Steel Bridge Alliance confirmed in May. U.S. steel companies participating in this project, such as Nucor-Yamato, have the best labor productivity rate in the world and costs far lower than that of steel exporters, such as Japan.

And contrary to Mr. Feldman's contention, "Buy American" rules do not forbid such highway projects from using imported steel if supply or quality is limited.

Because of continued illegal foreign dumping, published steel prices in the United States remain well below what they were before the 1998 steel crisis. A pound of American steel costs less than a pound of potatoes, is of the highest quality and is produced in a much more environmentally friendly manner than in many other countries. When U.S. taxpayer dollars are involved in federal highway projects such as these, Buy American is sound public policy that favors U.S. workers, customers and consumers.

ANDREW G. SHARKEY III

President and CEO

American Iron and Steel Institute

Washington