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Looking at the DOT’s state fact sheets (available at
www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/usdot-releasesstate-state-fact-sheets-highlighting-benefits-bipartisan),
it’s easy to see how much the improvement money is needed.
In California, there are 1,536 bridges and more than 14,220
miles of highway in poor condition, according to the DOT.
Since 2011, commute times have increased by 14.6% in the
Golden State, and on average, each driver pays $799 per year
in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair.
Based on formula funding alone, California would expect to
receive approximately $29.5 billion over five years in federal
highway formula funding for highways and bridges. On an
average annual basis, this is about 44.1% more than the
state’s federal-aid highway formula funding under current law.
California can also compete for the $12.5 billion Bridge
Investment Program for economically significant bridges
and $15 billion of national funding in the law dedicated
to megaprojects, which will deliver substantial economic
benefits to communities.
Additionally, California can expect to receive approximately
$555 million over five years in formula funding to reduce
transportation-related emissions, as well as about $631
million over five years to increase the resilience of its
transportation system.
In Pennsylvania, there are 3,353 bridges and more than 7,540
miles of highway in poor condition, according to the DOT.
Since 2011, commute times have increased by 7.6% in
Pennsylvania, and on average, each driver pays $620 per
year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair.
Based on formula funding, Pennsylvania would expect to
receive approximately $13 billion over five years in federal
highway formula funding for highways and bridges. On an
average annual basis, this is about 40.4% more than the
state’s federal-aid highway formula funding under current law.
Just as in California and all other states, Pennsylvania can
compete for the Bridge Investment Program and megaproject
funds.
Pennsylvania can expect to receive approximately $265
million over five years in formula funding to reduce transportation-related
emissions, in addition to about $301 million
over five years to increase the resilience of its transportation
system.
During a recent New Hampshire stop, Biden said there
were 215 bridges deemed “structurally unsafe” and 700
miles of highway in that state listed in poor condition, which
he said costs residents heavily each year in gas and repairs.
In addition to speeding repairs to roads and bridges, Biden
touted the law’s investments in upgrading public transit
and trains, replacing lead pipes and expanding access to
broadband internet.
The law, Biden said, is estimated to create an extra 2 million
jobs a year, and he insisted it also would improve supply
chain bottlenecks that have contributed to rising prices for
consumers by providing funding for America’s ports, airports
and freight rail.
“This isn’t esoteric, this isn’t some gigantic bill — it is,
but it’s about what happens to ordinary people,” the president
said. “Conversations around those kitchen tables that
are both profound as they are ordinary: How do I cross the
bridge in a snowstorm?”
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