The U.S. House cleared a $1.2 trillion physical infrastructure bill on Friday evening and the bill is on its way to Pres. Joe Biden for his signature.
Pres. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris support the Senate’s passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the largest long-term investment in our infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century.
The need for action in Missouri is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Missouri. For decades, infrastructure in Missouri has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Missouri a C- grade on its infrastructure report card.
The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make life better for millions of Missouri residents, create a generation of good-paying union jobs and economic growth, and position the United States to win the 21st century.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will:
Repair and rebuild our roads and bridges
In Missouri there are 2,190 bridges and over 7,576 miles of highway in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 5.9% in Missouri and on average, each driver pays $743 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair.
Based on formula funding alone, Missouri would expect to receive $6.5 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $484 million for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five years.
Missouri can also compete for the $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program for economically significant bridges and nearly $16 billion of national funding in the bill dedicated for major projects that will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities.
Improve public transportation
Missourians who take public transportation spend an extra 79.6% of their time commuting and non-White households are 10 times more likely to commute via public transportation. 32% of transit vehicles in the state are past useful life.
Based on formula funding alone, Missouri would expect to receive $674 million over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve public transportation options across the state.
High-speed Internet connection
Broadband internet is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, to participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected. Yet 15% of Missouri households do not have an internet subscription, and 5% of Missourians live in areas where, under the FCC’s benchmark, there is no broadband infrastructure.
Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Missouri will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 330,000 Missourians who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 1,602,000 or 26% of people in Missouri will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
Climate change, cyber security and extreme weather events
From 2010 to 2020, Missouri has experienced 44 extreme weather events, costing the state up to $20 billion in damages.
Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on historical formula funding levels, Missouri will expect to receive $21 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $19 million to protect against cyberattacks. Missourians will also benefit from the bill’s historic $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization which will reduce energy costs for families.
Clean drinking water
Currently, up to 10 million American households and 400,000 schools and child care centers lack safe drinking water. Missouri will expect to receive $866 million over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities.
Improve our nation’s airports
The United States built modern aviation, but our airports lag far behind our competitors.
Airports in Missouri would expect to receive about $246 million for infrastructure development for airports over five years.
Over the coming days and weeks, we will expect to receive additional data on the impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in Missouri.