$27 Billion Bridge Repair Program Sets New Funding Precedent

The Biden administration on Friday announced $27.5 billion in funding to repair bridges around the country as part of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) approved in 2021.

The spending for the Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection, and Construction Program (also known as the Bridge Formula Program) was announced in a Federal Highway Administration press release on Friday, January 14.

"The bridge program is one of the largest new sources of federal spending in the package and one that encapsulates its bipartisan appeal," according to an article in The Washington Post by Ian Duncan. The IIJA includes $550 million in new spending as a portion of its $1 trillion total.

Bridge Formula Program funding has been allocated to states based on the number of bridges in poor condition rather than by the size of the state—the latter is more typical of most federal transportation spending. So, as reported by Sarah Cassi for LeHigh Valley Live, Pennsylvania, with 3,000 bridges in poor condition, will receive $1.6 billion.

Duncan reports that Louisiana is in line to $1 billion to help repair 1,600 bridges in poor condition around the state, California will receive $4.6 billion, and 25 states will receive the minimum of $225 million over five years.

In another funding arrangement unique to the Bridge Formula Program, states won't be required to match federal funding with 20% in state or local funding. States will be allowed to use federal funds for 100% of the cost of repairing or rehabilitating bridges. More details on the bridge program can be found in a separate article by the Associated Press.