Title: Biden Administration Allocates $4.9 Billion for Transformational Infrastructure Projects

In a move to bolster the nation's infrastructure, President Biden and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have announced an investment of over $4.9 billion in funding for 37 major projects. The funding comes from the Mega and Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant programs as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda.

The Mega program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will provide $5 billion in funding until 2026. This round of funding will focus on 11 projects aimed at generating economic growth, improving mobility, and enhancing safety at a national and regional level. Notably, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, will receive $600 million for the construction of a seismically resilient replacement bridge over the Columbia River. The new bridge will feature dedicated lanes for public and commercial travel, as well as sustainable transportation options like bus lanes, pedestrian walkways, bike lanes, and a light rail system.

The INFRA program, which saw an increase of over 50% in funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will allocate funds to 28 projects that aim to enhance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of freight and passenger movement across rural and urban areas. Over half of the projects selected under the INFRA program are located in rural communities. Noteworthy projects include the $1 billion Blatnik Bridge Replacement Project in Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, and the $17 million ARRC Bridge Replacement in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Two projects, the Port of New Orleans' International Container Terminal and the Mineral County I-90 Improvement Project in Montana, received funding from both the Mega and INFRA programs. The new container terminal in Louisiana will accommodate larger vessels, providing an alternative to terminals further inland on the Mississippi River. The Mineral County I-90 Improvement Project aims to rehabilitate aging infrastructure and improve pavement conditions along the Idaho-Montana state border.

The applications for both the Mega and INFRA grants far exceeded the available funding. The Department received 117 applications requesting $24.7 billion for the Mega program and 190 applications requesting $24.8 billion for the INFRA program. Grant applications were evaluated based on criteria such as safety, economic impacts, climate resilience, equity, and innovation.

The Biden-Harris Administration's investment in these transformative infrastructure projects demonstrates their commitment to building a more accessible, sustainable, and resilient transportation system. The next application period for grants is expected to open in mid-2024.

For more details on the Mega and INFRA projects, please visit the U.S. Department of Transportation's website.