- December 27th, 2024
- 0 Comments
On the third anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Biden-Harris Administration announced over $3.4 billion in grants to enhance U.S. infrastructure. Funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, these grants will support a variety of projects aimed at improving passenger rail, road safety, port efficiency, and supply chain strength, as well as promoting low-carbon transportation materials.
Read more – Fact Sheet: Historic Progress by the Numbers
The funding includes $1.4 billion for rail projects along the Northeast Corridor, nearly $580 million for port improvements in 15 states, $172 million for safety initiatives in local, regional, and Tribal communities, and $1.2 billion to state DOTs for the use of sustainable transportation materials. To date, nearly $570 billion has been allocated for over 66,000 projects nationwide, covering road repairs, bridge construction, Tribal transportation, port and waterway enhancements, airport modernization, safety improvements, and rail projects.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the significance of these investments in a recent video, comparing the current infrastructure decade to the era of Eisenhower and the Interstate Highway System. The Administration's efforts aim to rebuild and modernize the nation's infrastructure to support the economy of the 21st and 22nd centuries.
The funding announcements represent a significant opportunity for our region, where investment in passenger rail and road safety aligns with the region's goals of reducing car dependency and enhancing multimodal transportation options. The focus on safety initiatives is particularly relevant to Oakland, where a mix of pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers coexist on our roadways and trails. The funding for safety planning and demonstration projects can lead to safer streets, encouraging more residents to consider walking, cycling, or using public transit.
