Pennsylvania officials recently discussed how the first year of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is supporting transportation statewide.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a game changer for Pennsylvania,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “This funding is already helping us speed up projects underway in Pennsylvania. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us fix our highways and bridges, improve rail transit, invest in broadband infrastructure, and meet our clean energy goals to fight the damage climate change is causing in Pennsylvania communities.”
As of Oct.1, there were 611 projects either underway or expected to begin construction or go out for bid this year. In addition, 282 construction contracts were completed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s private-sector partners. Repair, replacement or preservation work on 425 bridges was put out for bid or completed, and nearly 4,000 roadway miles were improved.
Pennsylvania will receive $4 billion in new highway and bridge funds over the next five years from the BIL, including nearly $600 million in fiscal year 2022. This has allowed dozens of projects to be expedited.
“Because of this money, we can keep Pennsylvanians safer, support more union jobs, and ensure that Pennsylvania’s infrastructure is ready to meet the needs of the 21st century,” Wolf said.