Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced that Iowa is receiving $651,082,865 in new federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law she helped get signed into law earlier this year.
The funding administered by the Federal Aid-Highway Program, part of more than $5 billion that is projected to reach Iowa over the next five years, will create new jobs improving Iowa’s roads and bridges.
“Safe roads and bridges enable Iowans to commute, travel, sell their goods, and carry on in their daily lives. But, here in Iowa we unfortunately lead the nation in structurally deficient bridges – and have hundreds of miles of highway in need of revitalization and repair,” said Rep. Axne. “I helped approve our bipartisan infrastructure law to fund the fixes that Iowa needs, and create good-paying local jobs to make those repairs happen. With this investment, we’ll cut down on commute times, help Iowa’s small businesses and farmers stay connected to their markets, and ensure Iowans can continue traveling all across our great state.”
Iowa is ranked number one in the nation for number of structurally deficient bridges, with 4,571 bridges in poor condition. Nearly a quarter of all bridges in Iowa are in poor condition.
In Iowa, more than 400 miles of highway are in poor condition. The average Iowa driver spends over $300 a year in costs related to driving on roads in need of repair.
Background:
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will provide at least $5.082 billion in various investments for Iowa, which received a “C” infrastructure grade as a state from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The law is projected by Moody’s Analytics to create more than 770,000 jobs by 2025.
Investments from IIJA that are calculated in formula funds would provide Iowa:
- $3.4 billion in highway aid, to address the 403 miles of highway in Iowa that are in poor condition
- $432 million for bridge replacement and repairs
- Iowa will also be able to fund bridge repairs through grants from a $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program, and $16 billion dedicated for major revitalization projects
- $638 million to improve water infrastructure
- $305 million for public transportation in Iowa
- $120 million for airport infrastructure and upgrades
- At least $100 million for expanded broadband internet coverage with additional funding determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mapping unserved areas nationwide
- $15 million to protect against cyberattacks
The IIJA also includes $7 billion for Army Corps of Engineers backlog to address storm resiliency and $3.5 billion for FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance for flood risk.
Earlier this month, Rep. Axne announced the first $110,745,000 investment from the IIJA to upgrade Iowa’s aging water infrastructure and create jobs while addressing key challenges like lead in drinking water.
Original source can be found here
