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
Georgia is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Georgia. For decades,
infrastructure in Georgia has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. In fact,
the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Georgia a C+ grade on its
infrastructure report card. The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will
make life better for millions of Georgia residents, create a generation of goodpaying union jobs and economic growth, and position the United States to win
the 21st century.
To date, $4.9 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced
and is headed to Georgia with over 154 specific projects identified for funding.
Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, Georgia will receive
approximately $4.2 billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public
transit, ports and airports and roughly $159 million for clean water. And, as of
today, more than 538,000 households across the state are receiving affordable
high-speed 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 Georgia – including rural communities and historically underserved
populations – the law makes critical investments that will improve lives for
Georgians and position the state for success.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make the following investments:
- Roads and Bridges. In Georgia there are 374 bridges and over 2,260 miles of
highway in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by
10.8% in Georgia and on average, each driver pays $375 per year in costs
due to driving on roads in need of repair. Passage of House Bill 170 added
nearly $1 billion per year to Georgia’s transportation funding. As a result,
Georgia has decreased the percentage of structurally deficient bridges, from
8.6% in 2014 to 3% today. The Georgia Department of Transportation quickly
responded by expanding road and bridge maintenance programs and
focusing on effective project delivery to complete road improvements on
time and on budget.
- Based on formula funding alone, Georgia would expect to receive $8.9 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.
- Georgia 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. Georgia’s public transit systems serve a vital role in
connecting the state’s residents to jobs, health care, and other critical
services. Residents of Georgia who take public transportation spend an extra
74.1% of their time commuting. 7% of trains and other transit vehicles in the
state are past useful life.
- Based on formula funding alone, Georgia would expect to receive $1.4 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, Georgia would expect to receive $135 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- Georgia 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 15% of Georgia households do not have an internet subscription, and 6%
of Georgia residents live in areas where, under the FCC’s benchmark, there
is no broadband infrastructure.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Georgia will receive a
minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage
across the state, including providing access to the at least 649,000
residents who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act, 3,187,000 or 31% of people in Georgia 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. Georgia reports a $12.5 billion drinking water
investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Georgia will expect to receive $913 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. Georgia is home to nine (9) major airports that will benefit from the $25 billion in increased airport infrastructure funding provided over five (5) years from the IIJA. At ATL, a $6 billion expansion plan has been underway
since 2016 that will result in updated terminals, increased capacity, and other
benefits for travelers.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, airports in Georgia would receive approximately $619 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
- Ports and Inland Waterways. Georgia is home to two (2) major ports and 720 miles of inland waterways that will benefit from $17 billion in new infrastructure funding over 5 years from the IIJA.
- Grid and Clean Energy Infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),
through the Office of the Under Secretary for Infrastructure, is focused on
working across the public and private sectors to help the U.S. transition to the
clean energy economy. With more than $75 billion in investments through the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Georgia will benefit from multiple opportunities
focused on the rapid commercialization, demonstration, and deployment of
clean energy technologies. DOE is playing a critical role in efforts to rapidly
lower energy costs, slash carbon emissions, and create new industries with
the high-quality union jobs that are guaranteed to boost domestic
manufacturing capabilities while strengthening U.S. global competitiveness.
