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
Ohio is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Ohio. For decades,
infrastructure in Ohio has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. In fact, the
American Society of Civil Engineers gave Ohio a C- grade on its infrastructure
report card. The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make life
better for millions of Ohio residents, create a generation of good-paying union
jobs and economic growth, and position the United States to win the 21st century.
To date, $5.1 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced
and is headed to Ohio with over 150 specific projects identified for funding. Since
the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, Ohio is set to receive more than $4.3
billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public transit, ports and airports
and over $240 million for clean water. And, as of today, more than 754,000
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 Ohio – including
rural communities and historically underserved populations – the law makes
critical investments that will improve lives for Ohioans and position the state for
success.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make the following investments:
- Roads and Bridges. In Ohio there are 1,377 bridges and over 4,925 miles of
highway in poor condition. Additionally, 5% of Ohio’s bridges are in poor
condition and considered structurally deficient. Ohio DOT and local
governments reporting needing $3.2 billion annually by 2030 to catch up on
deferred maintenance projects and begins to address future maintenance
needs. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 5.7% in Ohio and on
average, each driver pays $506 per year in costs due to driving on roads in
need of repair.
- Based on formula funding alone, Ohio would expect to receive $9.2 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $483 million for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five (5)
years.
- Ohio 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. Residents of Ohio who take public transportation spend an
extra 75.9% of their time commuting. In addition, 25% of transit vehicles in the
state are past useful life.
- Based on formula funding alone, Ohio would expect to receive $1.2 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, Ohio would expect to receive $140 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- Ohio 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 14% of Ohio households do not have an internet subscription, and 2% of
Ohioans live in areas where, under the FCC’s benchmark, there is no
broadband infrastructure. Even where infrastructure is available, broadband
may be too expensive to be within reach.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Ohio will receive a
minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage
across the state, including providing access to the at least 259,000
residents who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act, 3,167,000 or 28% of people in Ohio 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. Ohio reports a $13.4 billion drinking water
investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Ohio will expect to receive $1.4 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. Ohio is home to 12 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 Ohio would receive approximately $253 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
- Ports and Inland Waterways. Ohio is home to seven (7) major ports and 440 miles of inland waterways that will benefit from $17 billion in new infrastructure funding over 5 years from the IIJA.
