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
Massachusetts is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Massachusetts. For
decades, infrastructure in Massachusetts has suffered from a systemic lack of
investment. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Massachusetts
a C- grade on its infrastructure report card. The historic Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act will make life better for millions of Massachusetts 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 $3.4 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been
announced and is headed to Massachusetts with over 70 specific projects
identified for funding. Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed,
Massachusetts is set to receive more than $3.0 billion for transportation to invest
in roads, bridges, public transit, ports and airports and over $189 million for clean
water. And, as of today, more than 236,000 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 Massachusetts – including rural communities and
historically underserved populations – the law makes critical investments that will
improve lives for the people of Massachusetts and position the state for success.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make the following investments:
- Roads and Bridges. In Massachusetts there are 472 bridges and over 1,194
miles of highway in poor condition. Additionally, 9% of Massachusetts’s
bridges are in poor condition and considered structurally deficient. In
response, Massachusetts approved a $16 billion funding bill this year to
authorize MassDOT and MBTA projects. Since 2011, commute times have
increased by 10.9% in Massachusetts and on average, each driver pays $620
per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair.
- Based on formula funding alone, Massachusetts would expect to receive
$4.2 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $1.1 billion
for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act over five (5) years.
- Massachusetts 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. Bay Staters who take public transportation spend an extra
52.9% of their time commuting. Also, 23% of transit vehicles in the state are
past useful life.
- Based on formula funding alone, Massachusetts would expect to receive $2.5 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, Massachusetts would expect to receive $63 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts households do not have an internet subscription,
and 2% of Massachusetts residents live in areas where, under the FCC’s
benchmark, there is no broadband infrastructure.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Massachusetts will
receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband
coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least
137,000 residents who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, 1,340,000 or 19% of people in Massachusetts 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. Massachusetts reports a $12.2 billion drinking water
investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Massachusetts will expect to receive $1.1 billion 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. Massachusetts 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.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, airports in Massachusetts would receive approximately $244 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
- Ports and Inland Waterways. Massachusetts is home to one (1) major port and 90 miles of inland waterways that will benefit from the $17 billion in new infrastructure funding over 5 years from the IIJA.