Funding came for our nation’s infrastructure in November 2021, with the passing of the IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), which aimed to grow the American economy while rebuilding infrastructure, creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, and building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.
What impact has the IIJA had in the past few years? Have we made any progress in terms of rebuilding our infrastructure and cities? What money has rolled out—and what funding can we access? These are the questions that have lingered in recent days.
To address this, it’s important to take a closer look at some recent investments by the current administration. Last year, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation awarded nearly $1.2 billion from the Mega Program for nine projects across the country that will strengthen supply chains, create potentially good-paying jobs, improve mobility for residents, make transportation systems safer, and strive to grow the economy. The department also awarded $274 million for 12 projects through the Rural grant program and $1.5 billion for 26 projects through the INFRA program.
Looking to the future, in late June, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg revealed the Dept. of Transportation is accepting applications for up to $5.575 billion in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for projects of regional or national importance.
This funding supports three major discretionary grant programs that involve surface transportation projects designed to strengthen supply chains, spur economic development, and improve safety and daily life. Applications for funding are being solicited together under a single opportunity titled the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program.
Looking a bit more granular, we see there is available funding for the $1.8 billion for the National Infrastructure Project Assistance program, which supports large, complex projects that are difficult to fund by other means. This can include highway, bridge, freight, port, passenger rail, and public transportation systems. The law suggests 50% of funds are available for projects that are more than $500 million in total cost, and 50% are available for projects between $100 million and $500 million in total cost.
There is also $3.1 billion for the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America program, which provides grants for multimodal freight and highway projects that improve safety, efficiency, reliability, and accessibility of the movement of freight and people in and across rural and urban areas.
Additionally, the $675 million for the Rural Surface Transportation Grant program supports projects that improve and expand our nation’s surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas. The objective here is to increase connectivity and improve the reliability of the movement of people and freight, while also heightening safety. Eligible projects for Rural grants include highway, bridge, and tunnel projects that help improve freight, safety, and provide or increase access to agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities that support the economy of a rural area. 90% of rural funding must be awarded in $25 million or greater amounts.
Rebuilding a country’s infrastructure certainly isn’t an easy feat. Funding is simply the first step. Now, comes the hard work of restoration, which takes time, innovation, and some serious hard work. What role will you play in this transformation?
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