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
Vermont is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Vermont. For decades,
infrastructure in Vermont has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. In fact,
the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Vermont a C grade on its
infrastructure report card. The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will
make life better for millions of Vermont 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 Vermont there are 66 bridges and over 666 miles of
highway in poor condition. Additionally, 2.4% of Vermont’s bridges are in poor
condition and considered structurally deficient. Vermont currently only has
approximately two-thirds of the funding it needs to maintain its assets in a
state of good repair. Meanwhile, increasingly severe winter storms challenge
regular highway system operations and maintenance. Since 2011, commute
times have increased by 9.2% in Vermont 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, Vermont would expect to receive $1.4 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for
bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act over five (5) years.
- Vermont 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. Vermont has eight Class II or III railroads. Smaller railroads such
as these oftentimes require loans to build the infrastructure necessary for
connection with larger Class I railroads. The IIJA authorizes the Railroad
Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program, which offers loans to
financing for railroad infrastructure, at $250 million over five years. Residents
of Vermont who take public transportation spend an extra 40.2% of their time
commuting. In addition, 25% of transit vehicles in the state are past useful life.
- Based on formula funding alone, Vermont would expect to receive $77 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, Vermont would expect to receive $21 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- Pennsylvania 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.
More than 14.5% of Vermont live in areas where, by one definition, there is no
broadband infrastructure that provides minimally acceptable speeds. And
66.5% of Vermonters live in areas where there is only one such provider.
Moreover, even where infrastructure is available, broadband may be too
expensive to be within reach. Over 12% of Vermont households do not have
an internet subscription.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Vermont will receive a
minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage
across the state, including providing access to the at least 40,000 residents
who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act, 136,000 or 22% of people in Vermont 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. Vermont reports a $643 million drinking water
investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Vermont will expect to receive $355 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. Vermont is home to two (2) 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 Vermont would receive approximately $28 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
