U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) said the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) would provide support for local roads and bridges, ports and waterways, clean water systems, broadband networks, electrical grid, and airports.
The $1.2 trillion bill passed in early November by the U.S. House. Katko was the co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus Infrastructure Working Group that provided the framework for the IIJA, which includes investments for physical infrastructure, as well as responsible measures to pay for its spending, and is projected to have a 33 percent return on investment.
“When I first ran for public office, I pledged I would create economic opportunity and strengthen our community for generations to come,” Katko said. “Recognizing the dire state of our local infrastructure, a key part of that promise was delivering infrastructure investment. As a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus’s Infrastructure Working Group, I helped develop the framework for this bipartisan physical infrastructure bill. By passing this bill, I’m proud to have kept my promise to Central New Yorkers and deliver long-overdue investments for upgrades to our local roads and bridges, electrical grids, airports, water systems, ports and waterways, and broadband networks.”
Specifically, the legislation would provide $24 billion for state roads and bridges, $27 million for the Syracuse Hancock International Airport, $8 billion for the N.Y. Department of Transportation’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program, $23 billion for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and $42 billion for Broadband Deployment Grants to expand rural broadband and improve internet connectivity, among other projects.
“Investing in our infrastructure has been a top priority of my administration,” Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said. “Whether it’s our roads, bridges, or sewer pipes, Onondaga County has a strong track record of making the necessary investments to maintain our infrastructure.