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
Virginia is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Virginia. For decades,
infrastructure in Virginia has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. In fact,
the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Virginia a C grade on its
infrastructure report card. The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will
make life better for millions of Virginia 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 $4.3 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been
announced and is headed to Virginia with over 110 specific projects identified for
funding. Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, Virginia is set to receive
more than $3.6 billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public transit,
ports and airports and over $120 million for clean water. And, as of today, more
than 283,000 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 Virginia – including
rural communities and historically underserved populations – the law makes
critical investments that will improve lives for Virginians and position the state for
success.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make the following investments:
- Roads and Bridges. In Virginia there are 577 bridges and over 2,124 miles of
highway in poor condition. Additionally, 4% of Virginia’s bridges are in poor
condition and considered structurally deficient. Virginia reports it plans to
spend 17.2 billion over the next 6 years on highway and roadway projects.
Since 2011, commute times have increased by 7.7% in Virginia and on
average, each driver pays $517 per year in costs due to driving on roads in
need of repair.
- Based on formula funding alone, Virginia would expect to receive $7 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $537 million for
bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act over five (5) years.
- Virginia 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. Virginia residents who take public transportation spend an
extra 72.2% of their time commuting. In addition, 10% of transit vehicles in the
state are past useful life.
- Based on formula funding alone, Virginia 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, Virginia would expect to receive $106 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- Virginia 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.
9.7% of Virginians live in areas where, by one definition, there is no broadband
infrastructure that provides minimally acceptable speeds. And 39.4% of
Virginians live in areas where there is only one such internet provider. Even
where infrastructure is available, broadband may be too expensive to be
within reach. 13.3% of Virginia households do not have an internet
subscription.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Virginia will receive a
minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage
across the state, including providing access to the at least 473,000
residents who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act, 1,908,000 or 23% of people in Virginia 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. Virginia reports a $8.1 billion drinking water
investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Virginia will expect to receive $738 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. Virginia 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 Virginia would receive approximately $386 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
- Ports and Inland Waterways. Virginia is home to one (1) major water port and 670 miles of inland waterways that will benefit from $17 billion in new infrastructure funding over 5 years from the IIJA.
