Progress Report: Tracking Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding
In the previous article we discussed about what the current infrastructure in the United States looked like and what were the congressional efforts taken to enhance and expand them. In this article we will discuss how the investments allocated under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in various sectors, including roads, bridges and mass transit are coming along.
This figure depicts how money flows from the federal government-
Federal agencies give money for specific purposes. They give to states, Tribes, territories, and other bodies. Most programs are now in step 3, where most of the prospective recipients are awarded the money.
Overview of the Rails, Roads, and Bridges
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a historic opportunity to repair the one-in-five miles of roadways and more than 45000 bridges in the United States rated as "in poor condition." The BIL had estimated to allocate $106025892058 and received an actual allocation of $106018892058 in the years 2022 and 2023 [2]. This funding has enabled significant progress in repairing and upgrading nation's roads and bridges with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Bureau of Federal Highway Administration receiving close to $96 billion dollars of the apportioned amount [1]. AS of November 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration has even announced $27 billion ($26.5 billion to states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico over five years and $825 million for Tribal transportation facilities) to fix an estimated 15000 bridges nationwide [4].
Sample of USDOT funded projects are
The 22nd Street Revitalization Project in Tucson, Arizona, will replace an existing 1960 bridge in poor condition with a new bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad and State Route 210. The $25 million RAISE grant will also help expand 22nd Street from four lanes to six lanes [5].
The Maritime Support Facility Access/Terminal Rail System Project at the Port of Los Angeles, which will construct a four-lane, rail-roadway grade separation to eliminate a significant truck access impediment to this important container terminal support Facility. The $20 million RAISE grant to construct four-lane, rail-roadway grade separation that will eliminate a significant truck access impediment to this important container terminal support facility [5].
The Lake Street Multimodal Improvements Project in Minneapolis, Minnesota will improve bus transit operation and increase pedestrian mobility and safety along Minneaplolis' busy Lake Street corridor by implying the $12 million RAISE in constructing roadway improvements and accessibility upgrades like pedestrian [5].
The W. 51st Street Extension Project in West Tulsa, Oklahoma will deploy the $10 million RAISE grant by reconstructing approximately one mile of W. 51st Street, including a connection under US-75. This will help connect and revitalize a community that was divided and negatively impacted by the creation of the US-75 [5].?
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Inframinds Point of View (POV):
It seems the fund allocation under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Biden-Harris administration is on the right track and projects are being planned to improve the infrastructure and rebuild the nation. The government is also encouraging the fund receiving States, Tribes, US Territories and local governments to apply for competitive grant programs to execute some additional projects. More the projects create more opportunities for everyone involved to contribute in their own way and ensure the success of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
References:
1. The White House. (2024b, May 13).?Investing in America | The White House.??
https://www.whitehouse.gov/invest/?utm_source=invest.gov? Excel File- https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Invest.gov_PublicInvestments_Map_Data_CURRENT.xlsx?
2. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law- Funding | Federal Highway Administration. ? (n.d.). https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/funding.cfm ?
3. The White House. (2024, March 18). Maps of Progress | Build.gov | The White House. (2024, March 18). ?
4. DOT Announces Historic Bridge Investment Under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (n.d.).?https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-announces-historic-bridge-investment-under-bipartisan-infrastructure-law?
5. BIL- Funded Infrastructure projects. (n.d.). US Department of Transportation?