Building Bridges: A Bipartisan Physical Infrastructure Framework
In June 2021, the bipartisan 58-member Problem Solvers Caucus (co-chaired by Represenative Brian Fitzpatrick) unveiled "Building Bridges: A Bipartisan Physical Infrastructure Framework." This framework, alongside the Problem Solvers Caucus report on "Rebuilding America's Infrastructure" released in April 2021, were integral to the bicameral and bipartisan negotiations which led to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
You can read the "Rebuilding America's Infrastructure" report here. To learn more about the Problem Solvers Caucus, visit our website here.
Fitzpatrick: “Yes” to Infrastructure Reinvestment for Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act supported by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), which will bring the nation’s physical infrastructure network into the 21st century, became law on Monday. Fitzpatrick reiterated that he voted “yes” for this package because it will fund physical infrastructure and create jobs.
Throughout his time in Congress, Fitzpatrick has consistently pursued policies to hold the federal government accountable for its failure to manage a nationwide crisis of deteriorating roads, defunct bridges, and vulnerable dams and levees. “I have always believed that investing in our roads, bridges, rail, and energy grid is an investment in our national security, our economy, and the American people. An efficient, functioning infrastructure system is a necessity for Pennsylvania and the United States to compete and thrive in the 21st century,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
This new law comes at a critical time - Pennsylvania has nearly $9.3 billion in annual unmet needs and maintenance backlogs across its state-maintained infrastructure system. When last evaluated for safety, health, and welfare in 2018, the Commonwealth’s infrastructure was assigned an abysmal C- grade by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will provide the Commonwealth with at least $17.8 billion in essential funding to rebuild its physical infrastructure and combat the excessive costs that further inaction would place on taxpayers and their families.
REPAIRING OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES
An estimated 43% of PennDOT-owned roadways have “fair or poor pavement surface,” and nearly one-third of Pennsylvania’s bridges are “structurally deficient” or “in poor condition.” Under this bipartisan plan, Pennsylvania will receive $11.3 billion for its highways and roads and $1.6 billion for bridge replacement and repairs.
IMPROVING OUR DAILY COMMUTE
Overall, the Commonwealth will benefit from a minimum of $2.8 billion for its public transportation systems. SEPTA, which has a $4.6 billion backlog of state-of-good-repair projects, obtained an increase in federal funding ($540 million over the next five years) and will be able to compete for additional grants for improvement projects such as renovating older stations to enhance accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities.
DELIVERING CLEAN DRINKING WATER
Our community is no stranger to the health risks caused by dangerous chemicals, such as PFAS and PFOS, in our water. The average age of Pennsylvania’s stormwater and wastewater infrastructure systems (such as pipes and service lines) is upwards of 100 years old. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act sets aside $1.4 billion for improving water and wastewater systems in the Commonwealth, including $26 million specifically for the wildlife conservation and environmental programs conducted by the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program.
Fitzpatrick also noted that the bipartisan law will yield $100 million for increasing broadband coverage for the nearly 400,000 Pennsylvanians who lack access and $355 million for airport developments, such as the renovation of terminals and runways.
Read the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act accomplishes it's goals by providing $1.2 trillion for hard infrastructure projects over a five-year period. That translates into $550 billion in new spending, which is itemized below, and $650 billion in renewing existing surface transportation programs that are authorized regularly and were last approved by a Republican-controlled Congress in 2015. This includes replenishing the Highway Trust Fund, which provides grants for road construction and transit maintenance, and the Inland Waterway Trust Fund.
Here are the new spending items which the law authorizes for the entire country:
- $110 billion for highways, bridges, and roads
- $66 billion for passenger and freight rail
- $65 billion for electric grid upgrades
- $65 billion for broadband expansion
- $55 billion for water and wastewater
- $47 billion for cybersecurity and resiliency, such as flood and wildfire mitigation
- $39 billion for public transit systems, including bus maintenance and senior accessibility
- $25 billion for airports
- $21 billion for environmental cleanup of Superfund sites and abandoned mines
- $17 billion for shipping ports
- $11 billion for highway, pedestrian, and pipeline safety
- $8 billion for water infrastructure maintenance, including water treatment and reuse facilities
- $7.5 billion for electric vehicle technology
- $7.5 billion for electric school buses, particularly for rural, low-income, and tribal communities
You can read the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in its entirety here.
Congressional Oversight of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
As your Representative, I serve on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, which is responsible for oversight of the U.S. Department of Transportation and its agencies. That authority extends also to the distribution of grant funding and program implementation under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
In July 2022, our full committee held a hearing specifically on "Implementing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." You can watch my questioning of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg here.