Infrastructure Law Yields Fruit: Dozens of Aging Bridges Across 16 States Set For Revamp With $5 Billion Federal Grants

mapman / shutterstock.com
mapman / shutterstock.com

President Joe Biden’s administration recently unveiled plans to allocate $5 billion in federal grants to replace or improve dozens of crumbling bridges spanning 16 states—a welcome development under the auspices of its ambitious infrastructure legislation. This move marks another milestone in addressing America’s pressing transportation needs.

One notable beneficiary is the Pacific Northwest corridor, where a substantial injection of funds (1.4 billion) aims to revamp not one but two critical vertical-lift bridges driven daily by I-5 commuters between Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA. These structures had already secured $600 million back in December. According to US Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg, these particular spans represent “the worst trucking bottleneck” plaguing regional logistics.

Once revamped, both upgraded crossings above the Columbia River promise seismic resilience alongside multi-modal functionality catering to diverse user groups, including motorists, cyclists, walkers, and public transport patrons alike. In response, Governor Tina Kotek hailed this windfall as nothing short of “fantastic news”, emphasizing how targeted investments like these can simultaneously boost local economies while driving progress toward reduced greenhouse gas output and mitigating climatic impacts.

Beyond the Pacific Northwest, other high-priority undertakings set to benefit from sizeable allocations exceeding half a billion dollars apiece encompass:

  • Rebuilding the iconic Sagamore Bridge along scenic Cape Cod;
  • Upgrading key sections of I-10 crossing Mobile Bay in southernmost Alabama;
  • Revitalizing the crucial I-83 span linking central PA state capital Harrisburg;

Transportation chief Buttigieg underscored during his recent stopover at the latter site just why swift action remains imperative here: “These bridges affect whole regions and ultimately impact the entire U.S. economy… Their condition means they need major urgent investment to help keep people safe and to keep our supply chains running smoothly.”

This fresh round of disbursements stems directly from the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act championed by President Biden himself upon signing off on the historic $1.2 trillion package. Even with all this money being earmarked, it still falls woefully shy of rectifying the necessary fixes around the US.

A sobering reality check reveals approximately 42,400 structurally unsound bridges dotting today’s national landscape – many averaging seven full decades since initial construction – cumulatively handling roughly 167 million vehicle trips every single day! A whopping four out of every five exhibit either compromised foundations (‘substructure’) or weakened upper layers supporting vehicular loads (‘superstructure’). Moreover, AP data shows well over fifteen thousand similarly afflicted bridges remained neglected ten long years prior!

As we’ve witnessed time-and-time again, neglecting essential maintenance tasks carries dire consequences once seemingly sturdy thoroughfares abruptly shut down due to unforeseen calamities – think Baltimore’s ill-fated Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse mere months past following catastrophic vessel collision incident claiming precious lives of six hardworking laborers tasked with routine upkeep duties thereupon. Local authorities now anticipate upwards of four arduous rebuilding years ahead plus potentially astronomical price tags reaching near-$2 billion mark before normalcy returns.

Recent announcements covering numerous concurrent initiatives aimed squarely at rejuvenating clusters of decrepit bridges scattered throughout various locales including Rhode Island, Miami-Dade County in Florida, the Arkansas-Tennessee border, South Carolina’s quartet of I-95 lake-crossing segments, Oklahoma’s lone US 70, New Mexico’s dual I-25, and more.

The question is whether the work will actually ever get done or whether this will be another case of the disappearing funds.