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
West Virginia is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for West Virginia. For
decades, infrastructure in West Virginia has suffered from a systemic lack of
investment. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave West Virginia a
D grade on its infrastructure report card. The historic Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act will make life better for millions of West 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 $1.9 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been
announced and is headed to West Virginia with 90 specific projects identified for
funding. Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, West Virginia is set to
receive more than $1.5 billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public
transit, ports and airports and over $83 million for clean water. And, as of today,
more than 83,000 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
West Virginia – including rural communities and historically underserved
populations – the law makes critical investments that will improve lives for West
Virginians and position the state for success.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make the following investments:
- Roads and Bridges. In West Virginia there are 1,545 bridges and over 3,200
miles of highway in poor condition. Additionally, 21% of West Virginia’s
bridges are in poor condition and considered structurally deficient. West
Virginia had to indefinitely postpone roadway projects like a $20 million
paving program this year due to pandemic-related revenue decreases.
Since 2011, commute times have increased by 6.4% in West Virginia and on
average, each driver pays $726 per year in costs due to driving on roads in
need of repair.
- Based on formula funding alone, West Virginia would expect to receive $3 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $506 million for
bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act over five (5) years.
- West 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. West Virginia residents who take public transportation spend an
extra 76.7% of their time commuting. In addition, 32% of transit vehicles in
the state are past useful life.
- Based on formula funding alone, West 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, West Virginia would expect to receive $46 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- West 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.
14.5% of West Virginians 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. 19% of West Virginia
households do not have an internet subscription.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, West Virginia will
receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband
coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least
258,000 residents who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, 543,000 or 31% of people in West 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. West Virginia reports a $1.4 billion drinking water
investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, West Virginia will expect to receive $487 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. West Virginia is home to seven (7) 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 West Virginia would receive approximately $44 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
- Ports and Inland Waterways. West Virginia is home to one (1) major port and 680 miles of inland waterways that will benefit from $17 billion in new infrastructure funding over 5 years from the IIJA.