What Alabama Can Expect From $1T Infrastructure Bill

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. House of Representatives voted late Friday to pass the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, one of two key parts of President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda. The House voted 228-206 to pass the bill, which now goes to Biden’s desk for his signature. The bill had already cleared passage in the U.S. Senate in August.

The bill makes key investments in the nation’s ailing infrastructure, providing funding for public transit, federal railways, roads, bridges, clean drinking water, high speed internet, investment in electric vehicles and more, according to a fact sheet provided by the White House.

Biden hailed the bill’s passage on Saturday, calling it a “monumental step forward.”

"The President and Congressional Democrats made history and accomplished what previous administrations have been trying to do for decades," Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) said in a statement Saturday. "Now, the largest investment in our nation’s infrastructure in nearly a century is on its way to the White House to be signed into law."

Not all of Alabama's delegation in Washington was as complementary of the new bill, however.

"Democrats have been in disarray and arguing amongst themselves for weeks over the specifics of these bills. The fundamental problems with both bills haven’t changed," Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) said. "Our economy is struggling, and our national debt already presents a serious national security threat, but the Democrats have shown they are willing to recklessly push through a bill that costs over a trillion dollars with only about 10 percent going to roads and bridges. I fully support funding for infrastructure that is focused on national priorities rather than wasting hundreds of billions of dollars on a Green New Deal wish list and programs under the guise of human infrastructure that simply expand government control of our lives."

Palmer added, "At least the bill includes legislation which I introduced with Rep. David Trone (D-MD) that includes funding for the Birmingham Northern Beltline."

Among the funds earmarked in the bill, here’s what Alabama can expect to receive:

• Alabama would expect to receive $5.2 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five years. Alabama 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.
• Alabama would expect to receive more than $400 million over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve public transportation options across the state.
• Alabama would expect to receive $79 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state . Alabama will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill.
• Alabama will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 565,000 Alabamians who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 1,518,000 or 31 percent of people in Alabama will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
• Alabama will expect to receive $23 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $19 million to protect against cyberattacks. Alabamians will also benefit from the bill’s historic $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization which will reduce energy costs for families.
• Alabama will expect to receive $782 million over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities.
• Airports in Alabama would receive approximately $140 million for infrastructure development for airports over five years.