PITTSBURGH -- When finished, the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Oakland will offer state-of-the-art medical facilities to thousands of local veterans, but renovations to the facility have fallen far behind, and three local Congressmen aren't happy about it.

The plan was to renovate the VA medical centers in Oakland and Aspinwall, while closing down the Highland Drive location.

Reps. Tim Murphy, Jason Altmire and Mike Doyle said only the local VA has stuck to the game plan.

"The problem we have is the Washington VA, and if they think this Congressional delegation is going to sit on its hands and do nothing while they continue to dither and send resources into other places that should be going to this progress, they are mistaken," Altmire said.

The trio is sponsoring a bill to get the project back in the fast lane, increasing the funding to $248 million, $60 million more than originally budgeted.

"Right now, the money isn't available, because the central office in Washington, D.C., has diverted construction funds intended for this project to other projects that have cost over-runs that are way behind," said Doyle.

The trio hopes the mere threat of legislation will put Pittsburgh back on the VA's priority list.

"This is a unique center that requires unique facilities and uniquely-trained staff," aid Murphy. "We cannot wait several more years to have it done."

Whether the bill is necessary, the Congressmen promise the project would be done by 2011.

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