The US House of Representatives finally voted to pass the bipartisan infrastructure deal that the US Senate had passed in August. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (HR 3684) totals $1.2 trillion, with $550 billion being new spending targeted at:
- $110 billion for roads and bridges.In addition to construction and repair, the funding also helps pay for transportation research at universities, funding for Puerto Rico’s highways, and “congestion relief” in American cities.
- $66 billion for railroads.Funding includes upgrades and maintenance of America’s passenger rail system and freight rail safety, but nothing for high-speed rail.
- $65 billion for the power grid.The bill would fund updates to power lines and cables, as well as provide money to prevent hacking of the power grid. Clean energy funding is also included.
- $65 billion for broadband.Includes funding to expand broadband in rural areas and in low-income communities. Approximately $14 billion of the total would help reduce Internet bills for low-income citizens.
- $55 billion for water infrastructure.This funding includes $15 billion for lead pipe replacement, $10 billion for chemical cleanup, and money to provide clean drinking water in tribal communities.
- $47 billion for cybersecurity and climate change. The Resilience Fund will protect infrastructure from cybersecurity attacks and address flooding, wildfires, coastal erosion, and droughts along with other extreme weather events.
- $39 billion for public transit. Funding here provides for upgrades to public transit systems nationwide. The allocation also includes money to create new bus routes and help make public transit more accessible to seniors and disabled Americans.
- $25 billion for airports. This allocation provides funding for major upgrades and expansions at U.S. airports. Air traffic control towers and systems would receive $5 billion of the total for upgrades.
- $21 billion for the environment.These monies would be used to clean up superfund and brownfield sites, abandoned mines, and old oil and gas wells.
- $17 billion for ports. Half of the funds in this category would go to the Army Corps of Engineers for port infrastructure. Additional funds would go to the Coast Guard, ferry terminals, and reduction of truck emissions at ports.
- $11 billion for safety. Appropriations here are to address highway, pedestrian, pipeline, and other safety areas with highway safety getting the bulk of the funding.
- $8 billion for western water infrastructure. Ongoing drought conditions in the western half of the country will be addressed through investments in water treatment, storage, and reuse facilities.
- $7.5 bill for electric vehicle charging stations. The Biden administration asked for this funding to build significantly more charging stations for electric vehicles across the nation.
- $7.5 billion for electric school buses. With an emphasis on bus fleet replacement in low-income, rural, and tribal communities, this funding is expected to allow those communities to convert to zero-emission buses.
Based on an early analysis/briefing paper from the White House on how Michigan could fare under this plan over the next 5 years:
- $7.3B for federal aid highway-apportioned programs in Michigan
- $563M for bridge replacement and repairs
- $1B for public transit programs
- $1.3B for water infrastructure
- $110M for expansion of EV charging stations
- At least $100M for broadband expansion/coverage
- $23M to prevent wildfires
- $24M for cybersecurity
- $363M for Michigan airport infrastructure improvements
Here is a Fact Sheet distributed by the White House – https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/11/06/fact-sheet-the-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal/.
Here is a searchable tool that our partners at the National League of Cities have produced offering insights into the various spending line items and grant programs – https://www.nlc.org/resource/infrastructure-bill-insights/
The bill is now headed to the President’s desk for his signature.
A series of briefings have been scheduled by the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs this week to provide further details on the spending…
IGA BID Briefing Schedule
- BID Briefing with Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and senior White House and Agency officials, Monday, November 8 @ 11:15 AM ET REGISTER HERE: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_dnorkkEUReKgNL5kJvCb5w
- BID Briefing with Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves and senior White House and Agency officials, Wednesday, November 10 @3:45PM ET REGISTER HERE: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_qEz8Hwi8Qg2twNvLVfj0wg
- BID Briefing with Department of Labor Secretary Martin J. Walsh and senior White House and Agency officials Friday, November 12 @ 11:00 AM ET
REGISTER HERE: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_n14gjUdcQzemSworKJcy1Q
John LaMacchia is the Assistant Director of State and Federal Affairs for the League handling transportation, infrastructure, energy and environment issues. He can be reached at [email protected] or 517-908-0303.