After more-than a decade long-awaited infrastructure legislation has been passed and finally signed into law. The bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed by President Biden recently after months of negotiations. The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill will provide much needed resources across the country for a variety of important areas and will be distributed over a 5-year period. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Ohio’s roads scored a “D” in their 2021 infrastructure report card. The new funding will help support states in the effort to repair and replace aging infrastructure ranging from roads, bridges, electric grid modernization, public transit, broadband and much more.
With any spending package coming out of Congress, especially one with $1.2 trillion in funding the question is always, What’s in the bill?
- $110 billion to repair aging highways, bridges, and roads, with $40 billion dedicated for bridges.
- $39 billion is dedicated to public transit to expand transportation systems, replace buses, rail cars and add additional stations, track, and power systems.
- $66 billion to improve rail service in the Northeastern US as well as other areas of country to improve and expand routes.
- $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging stations, and $5 billion for the purchase of electric and hybrid school buses.
- $65 billion for broadband access to help improve access to high-speed broadband for rural areas, low-income families, and tribal communities.
- $65 billion to modernize the nations electric grid, to improve reliability and resiliency of the power grid.
- $25 billion to improve runways, gates, and taxiways at airports and to improve terminals. The bill also provides funding to improve aging air traffic control towers.
- $55 billion on water and wastewater infrastructure, with $15 billion to replace lead pipes and $10 billion to address water contamination from polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
What does it mean for Ohio?
- $9.2 billion in highway funding for repair and replacement of aging highway infrastructure.
- $483 to repair and replace Ohio bridges and access to another $33 billion in competitive grant funding for highway and multi-modal projects
- Access to $60 billion in grants, including $45 billion for state and local governments to fund major projects across the state
- $1.4 billion to improve water infrastructure, including removing lead pipes that carry drinking water.
- $253 million for Ohio’s airports to make improvements to terminals, runways, and air traffic control systems.
- $140 million for electric vehicle charging stations.
- $1.2 billion to improve public transportation.
- $100 million to expand broadband access.
As Ohio and other states over the next five years begin to implement these programs and seek funds for projects along with their local government partners and other transportation entities, it will be important to develop plans for action that are focused on future growth. If you would like to learn more about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and how The Montrose Group can support your organization, you can contact Tim Biggam, Director of Government Relations, [email protected].