Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that the first round of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s $27.5 billion bridge formula program was distributed to Massachusetts
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Yesterday, Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and the City Transportation Engineer at the School Street Bridge to highlight the Commonwealth’s new funding for bridge repairs and upgrades, paid for by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. President Biden signed the Infrastructure Act into law in November 2021. Of the 5,229 bridges in Massachusetts, 472, or 9%, are classified as structurally deficient.
“The School Street Bridge is a central transportation link for residents, connecting schools, neighborhoods, and the City’s commercial center. But after 97 years, it’s at the end of its reliable life. When we allow our infrastructure to deteriorate, we see traffic increase, productivity, and quality of life go down, and commuters face higher costs,” said Assistant Speaker Clark. “That’s why Congress and the Biden Administration made it a priority to enact the new Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, the largest long-term investment in our infrastructure and economic competitiveness in nearly a century. I was honored to join Mayor Sisitsky to discuss how this funding will lower commute times and costs for drivers and improve our overall economy.”
Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that the first round of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s $27.5 billion bridge formula program was distributed to states and Tribal communities. This is the largest investment in bridge infrastructure in American history. In this initial round of funding, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT) will receive $225.3 million for fiscal year 2022. Over the life of the five year program, Massachusetts will eventually receive $1.1 billion for bridge replacement and repair projects across the Commonwealth.
In addition to the formula funding headed to the Massachusetts DOT, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes a $12.5 billion bridge investment program, which will provide competitive grants to assist state, local, federal and Tribal entities in rehabilitating or replacing economically significant bridges.
Photos of yesterday’s event are available HERE.
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