Bridge infrastructure grants totalling $5bn announced by US DOT

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has announced more than $5 billion in Large Bridge Project awards through the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program.

These grants will fund reconstruction, repair and restoration of what are described as 13 nationally significant bridges across 16 states, which help connect communities to jobs and resources, support local economics, and serve as critical corridors for freight. These projects will also ensure future resilience, making the bridges more resistant to the impacts of extreme weather.

As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the work to be undertaken on the bridges is said to use American-made materials and create a number of good-paying jobs.

“For too long America let bridges fall into disrepair, which left people less safe, disrupted our supply chains, and cost people time and money – but now the Biden-Harris Administration is changing that with the biggest investment in our bridges since the Eisenhower era,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “There are currently about 3,000 fewer bridges in poor condition than when our administration began, and today we are proud to announce funding to repair or replace 13 of America’s largest and economically significant bridges.”

“Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Bridge Investment Program, we are reinvesting in our infrastructure and ensuring vital connections for Americans who need to get to a job, a class, or a doctor,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “These grants are helping to advance critical bridge projects across the nation that will improve overall quality of life and ensure this country’s infrastructure works for everyone.”

The Large Bridge Project Grants under the Bridge Investment Program are available for bridges with total eligible project costs over $100 million, with minimum grant awards of $50 million and a maximum award of 50 per cent of the total eligible project costs. Priority consideration is given to projects ready to proceed to construction. The programme also funds projects that require pre-construction work and benefit from a multi-year grant agreement.