WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) voted to send the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. The legislation makes long overdue investments in upgrading the Commonwealth’s infrastructure. The House also moved one step closer toward final consideration of the Build Back Better Act, which will meet the urgent needs of Massachusetts families by creating jobs, cutting taxes, and lowering costs.
“For far too long, Washington’s divestment from infrastructure projects has forced communities across the Third District to take a Band-Aid approach to repairing roads, bridges, and water systems. When I ran for office, I promised to work with whomever necessary – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike – to change that,” Congresswoman Trahan said. “That’s what the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will achieve. Whether it’s upgrading sewage systems in Lowell and Lawrence, repairing bridges in Haverhill and Fitchburg, improving roads in Gardner and Acton, making intersections safer in Marlborough and Methuen, or much more, this legislation will deliver the investments necessary to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, improve the daily lives of every single resident of the Third District, and create millions of family-sustaining jobs nationwide.”
“However, generating millions of good-paying jobs only works if people are able to return to work,” Congresswoman Trahan continued. “That’s why we also took a critical step forward today in advancing President Biden’s Build Back Better Act, which makes unprecedented investments in working families like the one I grew up in. Together, these historic pieces of legislation will ensure that no one is left behind as we defeat COVID-19 and rebuild our economy. We will get both done.”
Massachusetts stands to benefit mightily from the historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The legislation will improve the lives of every Bay Stater, create millions of good-paying jobs nationwide, and usher in unprecedented economic growth. Specifically, the bipartisan legislation will invest in:
Roads and Bridges:
- The bipartisan infrastructure package invests $110 billion in new funding to repair and rebuild roads, bridges, and other major projects.
- Of that funding, Massachusetts is slated to receive at least $4.2 billion for road improvements and another $1.1 billion for bridge replacements and repairs over the next five years.
- The Commonwealth can also compete for additional funding through the $12.5 billion Bridge Investment program for economically significant bridges and the $16 billion allocated for major projects that are crucial for economic benefits to communities.
- These investments will be key in addressing the 472 bridges and nearly 1,200 miles of highway in Massachusetts that are currently in poor condition, as well as reducing commute times, which have risen nearly 11 percent over the past decade.
Clean Drinking Water:
- The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act invests $55 billion to upgrade community water systems and replace lead service lines.
- Of that funding, Massachusetts will receive at least $1.1 billion over the next half-decade to improve water infrastructure in communities across the Commonwealth.
- The package also addresses a number of areas of particular interest to Bay Staters. The legislation includes $1.4 billion to specifically address combined sewage overflows and contains specific provisions to address dangerous PFAS contaminations, both of which are priorities of Trahan’s.
Climate Action and Resiliency:
- Understanding the threats posed by the climate crisis, the infrastructure package invests $7.5 billion to build the first-ever national network of electric vehicle chargers, $5 billion for zero emission and clean buses, and $50 billion to make America’s infrastructure more resilient to the impacts of climate change and cyber-attacks.
- Of that funding, Massachusetts would receive a minimum of $63 million to expand an electric vehicle charging network and have the opportunity to apply for another $2.5 billion in grant funding included in the bill for electric vehicle charging initiatives.
- The Commonwealth will also receive a portion of the $3.5 billion allocated to weatherize homes and buildings, which will reduce energy costs for families.
- Additionally, Massachusetts is expected to receive $5.8 million to protect against wildfires and another $15.7 million for cyber-attack prevention.
Public Transportation Improvements:
- The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes an additional $39 billion to modernize transit and make public transportation options more accessible for older Americans and people with disabilities.
- Based on formula funding alone, Massachusetts will receive no less than $2.5 billion to improve public transportation options.
- The funds can be used to repair and upgrade bus and rail fleets, make stations more accessible, replace older buses with clean, zero emission vehicles, and train transit workers to maintain and operate these new vehicles. This is key for the Commonwealth where more than 1 in every 5 transit vehicles are past useful life.
- These investments will benefit Massachusetts residents who rely on public transportation. Currently, those Bay Staters spend an extra 53 percent of their time commuting, and individuals of color are twice as likely to commute via public transit.
High-Speed Internet Connectivity:
- The infrastructure bill passed today builds on the progress made in the American Rescue Plan by investing $65 billion to ensure every American has access to high-speed internet and prevent families from ever having to sit in a library or fast food parking lot to get online again.
- Massachusetts is set to receive no less than $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 137,000 Bay Staters who currently lack it.
- Additionally, the infrastructure package creates a new Affordable Connectivity Benefit to help more low-income families access the internet. In the Commonwealth, 1,340,000 people – or 1 in 5 individuals – will be eligible for assistance through the benefit.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed the Senate with the bipartisan support of 69 Senators. Following today’s vote, the legislation moves to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
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