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
Delaware is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Delaware. For decades,
infrastructure in Delaware has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. In fact,
the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Delaware a D grade on its
infrastructure report card. The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will
make life better for millions of Delaware 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 $762 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been
announced and is headed to Delaware with 20 specific projects identified for
funding. Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, Delaware is set to receive
over $647 million for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public transit, ports
and airports and over $63 million for clean water. And, as of today, more than
30,000 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 Delaware –
including rural communities and historically underserved populations – the law
makes critical investments that will improve lives for Delawareans and position the
state for success.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make the following investments:
- Roads and Bridges. In Delaware there are 19 bridges and over 250 miles of
highway in poor condition. In addition, Up to 3.2% of Delaware’s bridges are
in poor condition and considered structurally deficient. Since 2011, commute
times have increased by 5% in Delaware and on average, each driver pays
$456 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair.
- Based on formula funding alone, Delaware would expect to receive $1.2
billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for
bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act over five (5) years.
- Delaware 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. Delaware residents who take public transportation spend an
extra 87% of their time commuting. Also, it is worth noting that 10% of trains
and other transit vehicles in the state are past useful life.
- Based on formula funding alone, Delaware would expect to receive $220 million 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, Delaware would expect to receive $18 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- Delaware 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 11% of Delaware households do not have an internet subscription, and 1
in 50 Delawareans live in areas where, under the FCC’s benchmark, there is
no broadband infrastructure.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Delaware will receive a
minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage
across the state, including providing access to the at least 21,000 residents
who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act, 200,000 or 21% of people in Delaware 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. Delaware reports a $806 million drinking water
investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Delaware will expect to receive $335 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. Delaware is home to two (2) 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 Delaware would receive approximately $246 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
- Ports and Inland Waterways. Delaware is home two (2) major water ports and 100 miles of inland waterways that will benefit from $17 billion in new infrastructure funding over 5 years from the IIJA.
