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 Maryland is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Maryland. For decades, infrastructure in Maryland has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Maryland a C grade on its infrastructure report card. The historic Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act will make life better for millions of Maryland 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 $2.6 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced and is headed to Maryland with at least 35 specific projects identified for funding. Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, Maryland is set to receive $2.2 billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public transit, ports and airports and over $140 million for clean water. And, as of today, more than 175,000 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 Maryland – including
rural communities and historically underserved populations – the law makes critical investments that will improve lives for Marylanders and position the state for success.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make the following investments:
- Roads and Bridges. The Baltimore and Washington D.C. metropolitan region is among the most congested in the nation, which impacts air quality. In Maryland there are 315 bridges and over 2,201 miles of highway in poor condition. Nearly 5% of
Maryland’s bridges are in poor condition and considered structurally
deficient. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 5.1% in Maryland
and on average, each driver pays $637 per year in costs due to driving on
roads in need of repair.
- Based on formula funding alone, Maryland would expect to receive $4.1 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $409 million for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five (5)
years.
- Maryland 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. Freight and passenger rail systems in Maryland collectively
face a funding gap of more than $3 billion to fully modernize infrastructure
and meet growing demands. The IIJA’s $66 billion for passenger rail service
can significantly improve the condition of the rail system that so many of the
state’s residents rely on. Marylanders who take public transportation spend
an extra 66.3% of their time commuting. 23% of transit vehicles in the state are
past useful life.
- Based on formula funding alone, Maryland would expect to receive $1.7 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, Maryland would expect to receive $63 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- Maryland 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 Maryland households do not have an internet subscription, and 2% of Maryland residents live in areas where, under the FCC's benchmark, there is no broadband infrastructure.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Maryland will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 148,000 residents who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 1,042,000 or 17% of people in Maryland 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. Maryland reports an $800 million drinking water investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Maryland will expect to receive $844 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. Maryland is home to three (3) 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 Maryland would receive approximately $158 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
- Ports and Inland Waterways. Maryland is home to one (1) major port and 530 miles of inland waterways that will benefit from $17 billion in new infrastructure funding over 5 years from the IIJA.
