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
Oklahoma is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Oklahoma. For decades,
infrastructure in Oklahoma has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. While
the nation’s infrastructure earned a C- in the 2021 Infrastructure Report Card,
Oklahoma faces infrastructure challenges of its own. The historic Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act will make life better for millions of Oklahoma residents,
create a generation of good-paying union jobs and economic growth, and
position the United States to win the 21st century.
To date, $2.7 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced
and is headed to Oklahoma with over 193 specific projects identified for funding.
Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, Oklahoma will receive
approximately $2.1 billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public
transit, ports and airports and roughly $118 million for clean water. And, as of
today, more than 236,000 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 Oklahoma – including rural communities and historically underserved
populations – the law makes critical investments that will improve lives for
Oklahomans and position the state for success.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make the following investments:
- Roads and Bridges. In Oklahoma there are 2,326 bridges and over 1,004 miles
of highway in poor condition. Over 10.2% of Oklahoma’s bridges are in poor
condition and considered structurally deficient. Since 2011, commute times
have increased by 7.7% in Oklahoma and on average, each driver pays $394
per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair. Oklahoma’s DOT
estimates a $7.1 billion funding gap by 2045.
- Based on formula funding alone, Oklahoma would expect to receive $4.3
billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $266 million for
bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act over five (5) years.
- Oklahoma 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. Oklahoma’s public transit systems serve a vital role in
connecting the state’s residents to jobs, health care, and other critical
services. Residents of Oklahoma who take public transportation spend an
extra 50.5% of their time commuting. 25% of trains and other transit vehicles in
the state are past useful life.
- Based on formula funding alone, Oklahoma would expect to receive $349 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, Oklahoma would expect to receive $66 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- Oklahoma 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.
9.3% of Oklahomans 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. 16% of Oklahoma
households do not have an internet subscription.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Oklahoma will receive
a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband
coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least
368,000 Oklahomans who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, 1,122,000 or 29% in Oklahoma 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. Oklahoma reports a $6.9 billion drinking water investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Oklahoma will expect to receive $520 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. Oklahoma is home to 4 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 Oklahoma would receive approximately $137 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
- Ports and Inland Waterways. Oklahoma is home to one (1) major water port
and 150 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, Oklahoma 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.
