A BIPARTISAN BIRTHDAY: Spanberger Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Last year, the Congresswoman Helped Negotiate & Voted to Pass the Bipartisan “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act”

Spanberger: “This Law is Already Helping the Commonwealth Grow its Economy, Support Local Jobs, & Bring More Business to Virginia”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement marking the one-year anniversary of the signing of the bipartisan infrastructure law in November 2021.

The law is already providing investments directly to Virginia to reduce traffic congestion, repair roads and bridges, revitalize railways, and more. Just last month, Spanberger announced an additional investment of more than $1.5 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law coming to Virginia, thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

After strongly advocating for the bipartisan infrastructure law and highlighting the benefits of the legislation for Virginia, Spanberger voted to pass the physical infrastructure-focused legislation with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House in November 2021.

“The bipartisan infrastructure law demonstrated how Democrats and Republicans could work together to deliver long-overdue investments to the communities they serve. One year later, I’m proud to see firsthand how this law is already helping the Commonwealth grow its economy, support local jobs, and bring more business to Virginia,” said Spanberger. “As Virginia puts these investments to work, I’m committed to making sure our Commonwealth continues to receive the investments promised through this law. Physical infrastructure investments are about more than concrete and rebar — they’re about jobs, growth, and putting the next generation on a path to success.”

To date, more than $4.3 billion in bipartisan infrastructure law funding has been announced and is headed to Virginia — with more than 110 specific projects identified for funding. The announced funding for Virginia so far includes investments for the Commonwealth’s:

• Roads and bridges. To date, $3 billion has been announced in Virginia for roads, bridges, roadway safety, and major projects. This investment includes $2.7 billion in highway formula funding and $231 million in formula funding for bridges in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, it includes $64.2 million through the RAISE program — including a recent award for Spotsylvania County.

• High-speed internet access. To date, roughly 283,000 households in Virginia are now enrolled in the bipartisan infrastructure law’s Affordable Connectivity Program, with more signing up every day. Households can check their eligibility, sign up, and find fully covered internet plans at GetInternet.gov.

• Water infrastructure. $126 million has been announced to Virginia to provide clean and safe water across the state and improve water infrastructure. This includes $126 million available in fiscal year (FY) 2022 to provide clean and safe water across the Commonwealth through the Environmental Protection Agency. Of this funding, $46.2 million has been dedicated to lead pipe and service line replacement, with another $36.4 million for safe drinking water investments that can also support lead pipe replacement in fiscal year 2022.

• Public transportation. To date, Virginia has been allocated $232 million to improve public transportation options across Virginia in FY2022.

• Electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. To date, Virginia has been allocated $38.4 million in 2022 and 2023 to build out an EV charging infrastructure network across the Commonwealth.

• Airports. The bipartisan infrastructure law has already provided Virginia with more than $127 million in FY22 for airport revitalization and expansions.

• Ports and waterways. To date, Virginia has received more than $192 million in FY2022 for ports and waterways.

• Clean energy, power, and grid resilience. To date, approximately $82 million has been allocated to Virginia for clean energy, energy efficiency, and power in 2022. This funding includes $65.6 million for weatherization, $9.5 million through the State Energy Program, and $6.9 million to prevent outages and make the power grid more resilient. Additional grid funding will be made available in the coming months.

According to the White House, many more projects will be added in the coming months — as funding opportunities become grant awards and as formula funds become specific projects.

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