The Congresswoman Voted to Pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Last Year After Strongly Advocating for its Passage on Behalf of Virginia’s Seventh District

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today announced that Virginia will receive $165,786,199 in direct investment to assist with reducing traffic congestion, improving commute times, and helping to address the climate crisis.

The federal funding — which is focused on increasing transportation options, easing congestion, reducing traffic, and decreasing carbon pollution — was announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation last week as one of the latest investments made possible by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These investments are administered under the Federal Highway Administration’s Carbon Reduction Program, which was established by the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Spanberger was a strong supporter of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which she helped negotiate and voted to pass late last year.

“When the bipartisan infrastructure law was signed into law, it came with a promise — a promise to rebuild our physical infrastructure, stay ahead of our economic competitors around the world, and support new jobs,” said Spanberger. “For Virginia, this announcement of more than $165 million means we will be able to expand transportation options for our neighbors and reduce travel times throughout our Commonwealth as our economy grows. With these long overdue improvements, we are putting Virginia on the right footing to keep leading the way as the best place in the country to raise a family, go to school, begin a career, and start a new business.”

Virginia will have the authority to invest these funds in a range of eligible projects, including:

• Congestion management technology,
• Traffic flow improvements,
• Public transit services,
• Electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and
• Pedestrian and cycle trails.

In November 2021, Spanberger attended the White House signing ceremony for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. After strongly advocating for this legislation and highlighting the benefits of the bill for Virginia, Spanberger voted to pass the physical infrastructure legislation with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House earlier that month.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, eligible projects include on- and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and other nonmotorized forms of transportation and projects that support the deployment of alternative fuel vehicles.

These types of projects, which are determined at the state and local level but could be supported with federal funding, include zero emission vehicles and facilities, projects that support congestion pricing and travel demand strategies; truck stop and port electrification systems to reduce the environmental impacts of freight movement and carbon dioxide emissions at port facilities; and public transportation projects such as the construction of bus rapid transit corridors or dedicated bus lanes. Micro-mobility and electric bike projects, including charging infrastructure, may also be eligible.

###