The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the largest long-term investment in
our infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century. The need for action in
Connecticut is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Connecticut. For decades,
infrastructure in Connecticut has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. In
fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Connecticut a C- grade on its
infrastructure report card. The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will
make life better for millions of Connecticut residents, create a generation of
good-paying union jobs and economic growth, and position the United States to
win the 21st century.
To date, over $2.2 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been
announced and is headed to Connecticut with over 50 specific projects identified
for funding. Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, Connecticut is set to
receive more than $2 billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public
transit, ports and airports and over $76 million for clean water. And, as of today,
more than 127,000 households across the state are receiving affordable internet
due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Many more projects will be added in the
coming months, as funding opportunities become grant awards and as formula
funds become specific projects. By reaching communities all across Connecticut
– including rural communities and historically underserved populations – the law
makes critical investments that will improve lives for Connecticut residents and
position the state for success.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make the following investments:
- Roads and Bridges. In Connecticut there are 248 bridges and over 2,100 miles
of highway in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by
10.9% in Connecticut and on average, each driver pays $711 per year in
costs due to driving on roads in need of repair.
- Based on formula funding alone, Connecticut would expect to receive
$3.5 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $561
million for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act over five (5) years. This funding will help close the
funding gap for the state’s 30-year Let’s Go CT! plan.
- Connecticut 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.
- Rail and Transit. Over 3.5 million intercity passengers in Connecticut are served
on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, which has a system-wide deferred
maintenance backlog of $33 billion.
- Based on formula funding alone, Connecticut would expect to receive $1.3 billion over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve public transportation options across the state.
- Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. The IIJA invests $7.5 billion to build out the first-ever national network of EV chargers in the United States.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Connecticut would expect to receive $53 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- Connecticut will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill.
- Broadband. Broadband internet is necessary for Americans to do their jobs,
to participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected.
Yet 12% of Connecticut households do not have an internet subscription.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Connecticut will receive
a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband
coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least
27,000 residents who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, 654,000 or 18.7% of people in Connecticut will
be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
- Clean Water/Wastewater. The law contains nearly $44 billion to strengthen the
nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems, remove lead pipes and
service lines, and eliminate harmful contaminants through the EPA’s State
Revolving Funds programs. These programs, administered by the states, make
grants and loans eligible to communities for drinking water and wastewater
infrastructure investments. Connecticut reports a $4 billion drinking water
investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Connecticut will expect to receive $445 million over five (5) years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities.
- Airports. Connecticut is home to four (4) major airports that will benefit from the $25 billion in increased airport infrastructure funding provided over five (5) years from the IIJA.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, airports in Connecticut would receive approximately $62 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
- Ports and Inland Waterways. Connecticut is home two (2) major water ports and 120 miles of inland waterways that will benefit from $17 billion in new infrastructure funding over 5 years from the IIJA.
