The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the most important piece of transportation legislation since the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Michele Stanley noted upon the $1 trillion funding package’s late-2021 passage.
“At the core of the legislation is a five-year, $304 billion reauthorization of our surface transportation programs,” she observed. “Next, the bill includes an additional $550 billion in new funding that is disbursed for building hard infrastructure. When combining the new funding with the reauthorization of our surface transportation and other programs, IIJA will direct $284 billion in new funding, above baseline spending, toward all modes of transportation and $266 billion for other infrastructure sectors. The vast majority of this funding, including the surface programs, will be spent over five years.”
“This is a monumental for our industry, and it has been greatly needed for quite some time,” affirmed NSSGA President Michael Johnson. “NSSGA has tirelessly worked with all stakeholders to achieve this historic moment,” he added, citing “the plethora of emails, calls and meetings from the aggregates industry with Members of Congress and their staffs. The passage of this landmark legislation is something our nation has needed to move our infrastructure network into the 21st century, and the aggregates industry is ready to meet the demands. We look forward to working with Congress and the Administration on implementing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Our members are prepared to advance the countless number of projects in local communities around the United States.”
UNIVERSAL THUMBS UP
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne Clark characterized the bipartisan infrastructure bill as “A major win for America. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help connect 14 million Americans to broadband, provide clean drinking water for 10 million families, upgrade our energy grid, and create millions of jobs. It is the single largest investment in bridges since construction of the Interstate Highway System.”
The 30,000-member American Public Works Association applauded the action and commended lawmakers for taking a major, historic step towards improving American citizens’ quality of life. “Congress’ long-awaited approval of IIJA is welcomed across the country by public works professionals,” affirmed APWA President Stan Brown. “From 2003 to 2017, federal infrastructure spending dropped more than 20 percent and negatively affected those who rely on our highways, roads, bridges, transit, and water and wastewater systems.”
“IIJA promises to upgrade all areas of this country’s infrastructure,” added APWA CEO Scott Grayson. “From roads and bridges to better protecting communities against natural disasters to modernizing our water infrastructure network, this legislation will make significant upgrades in people’s lives. APWA believes the country needs consistent, substantial, and long-term investment in our public works infrastructure, and the commitment of $550 billion in new federal spending over five years represents a generational improvement that still recognizes the need for local decision making.”
“IIJA is the most significant measure in more than 50 years to meaningfully address the condition and performance of the U.S. transportation network. Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have demonstrated not only the importance of federal transportation infrastructure leadership, but that policymakers can find common ground and govern on matters of national concern,” noted American Road & Transportation Builders Association President Dave Bauer. “In today’s political environment, where distortions and broadsides masquerade as solutions, members of Congress have taken tangible action that will benefit every state and community across the nation. The transportation construction community now welcomes the opportunity to use these historic investments to deliver infrastructure outcomes that will improve the quality of life for all Americans.”
“This bipartisan infrastructure bill not only addresses years of underinvestment in the nation’s infrastructure but will spur economic growth and job creation in communities across the country, improving the quality of life and our nation’s global competitiveness,” said Portland Cement Association CEO Michael Ireland. “As many are still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, this legislation will further our nation’s recovery, creating thousands of well-paying jobs. PCA members appreciate the legislation passing a long-term reauthorization of the surface transportation program, including significant investments in our water infrastructure; providing funding for the Department of Energy to focus on the research, development, and deployment of technologies to capture carbon emissions; and, the exemption of cement from Buy America requirements.”