Input Stories

The Department of Transportation will spend $4.2 billion to shore up critical infrastructure across the U.S., Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced this week.  
 
What’s going on: The funding—which is the latest to come from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—will go to 44 significant, multimodal “projects that improve safety, mobility and economic competitiveness, constructing major bridges, expanding port capacity, redesigning interchanges and more.” 

• To date, the DOT has announced almost $12.8 billion from two infrastructure law-funded programs: the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) and Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA). Funded projects include 85 highway improvement projects, 35 large bridge projects, 18 large port projects and 20 rail projects.  

Who’s getting what: Recipients in this round include:  

• The Maricopa Association of Governments, which will receive a combined $146.6 million in Mega and INFRA funds to improve a significant freight corridor between Phoenix and West Coast ports; 
• The Michigan Department of Transportation, which is receiving $196 million in INFRA funds to replace “the deteriorating River Basin Bridge along I-75”;
• The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, which is receiving $217.2 million to increase the capacity of the Southport Terminal; and
• The Florida Department of Transportation, which will get $66 million in INFRA money to replace the current Long Key Bridge. 

Why it’s important: “Manufacturers depend on modern, reliable infrastructure to compete in the global economy,” said NAM Director of Transportation, Infrastructure and Labor Policy Max Hyman.

• “The historic funding provided in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helps to build critical projects that move our goods and people forward. The NAM will continue to support bipartisan legislation that invests in the next generation of America’s infrastructure.”