Following months of tense negotiations, President Joe Biden signed into law the $1 trillion infrastructure bill on Monday, following through on a campaign promise to make infrastructure a significant part of his domestic agenda. One of the largest public works investments in decades, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will pour money into upgrading public transportation systems, roads and bridges while addressing climate change.
“So my message to the American people is this: America is moving again, and your life is going to change for the better,” Biden said at the signing ceremony Monday at the White House.
Massachusetts could see upwards of $9 billion of federal money come into the state over five years, more than half of which will go to highways and bridges, in addition to opportunities to apply for grant support on specific projects.
The bill ultimately garnered support from 19 Republican Senators and 13 Republican House members. “Grateful to see Washington work across party lines to get this bill done,” tweeted Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican.
Here’s what we know so far about what Massachusetts will receive, according to data released by the White House:
$4.2 billion for federal highway improvements and $1.1 billion for bridge replacement and repairs: According to White House data, Massachusetts has 1,194 miles of highways in poor condition and 472 bridges, such as the Cape Cod bridges, that need repair or replacement.
$2.5 billion for public transportation: As traffic makes a comeback in Greater Boston, these funds could be used for improving public transportation options across the state, including the MBTA. White House data says that 23% of the state’s transit vehicles are outdated.
$1.1 billion for clean drinking water: Funds are aimed at improving water infrastructure so that all communities in the state have safe drinking water.
$244 million for airport improvements: The White House says American airports fall short of its competitors. These funds will modernize airports across the state.
$100 million for high-speed Internet: Even as large parts of people’s lives went online in the pandemic, 11% of households in Massachusetts still do not have internet and 2% of the population lives in a town with no broadband. The act is aimed at improving broadband access for the 137,000 people in Massachusetts who don’t yet have access.
$63 million for expanding electric vehicle usage: The act would invest $7.5 billion nationwide to build a network of electric vehicle chargers, aimed at addressing climate change and creating manufacturing jobs. The movement towards electric vehicles is already underway in Massachusetts, and Gov. Baker has plans to mandate that by 2035, all new cars sold here are electric.
$15.7 million to protect against cyberattacks: The Act includes funds to protect valuable infrastructure against a potential increase of cyberattacks, and also includes $5.8 million to protect infrastructure against extreme weather events.
Next, President Biden will turn his attention to pushing for his Build Back Better Act, an even larger spending bill that is making its way through Congress. Sen. Ed Markey praised the infrastructure bill, which included provisions from his BRAIN TRAIN Act that would create more rail service to underserved communities in Western Massachusetts, but says he’s already looking ahead to the next fight.
“We cannot and will not stop with passage of just this one bill. We also must work urgently to pass the Build Back Better Act to make the historic investments in climate and clean energy solutions that will create millions of jobs and promote long-overdue justice,” Markey said in a statement. “We are going to work to ensure that we’re back at the White House soon to see President Biden sign historic investments in climate and clean energy into law.”
Here’s how other Mass. politicians reacted to the bill's passing:
Now that President Biden has signed the bipartisan infrastructure deal, we’re one step closer to fixing crumbling roads and bridges. To shore up the rest of our economy and make it possible for more people to get to work, Congress needs to pass the #BuildBackBetter plan.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) November 15, 2021
Honored to join @POTUS as he signed the bipartisan #InfrastructureBill into law. This historic package is going to improve the lives of every family in Massachusetts by creating good-paying jobs, making our roads and bridges safer, upgrading water systems and so much more. pic.twitter.com/IGDBa419Xb
— Congresswoman Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) November 15, 2021
1/2 Proud to join @POTUS at the White House today when he signed the momentous $1.2T Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law, which will invest $550B in America’s roads, rail, ports, public transit, bridges and water infrastructure.
— Rep. Stephen Lynch (@RepStephenLynch) November 15, 2021
A serious sense of excitement at the White House as @POTUS signs the infrastructure bill - and there should be a serious sense of excitement on Cape Cod & the Islands, too, as this new law contains $40bil worth of funding to target for the Cape Cod Canal Bridge replacement.
— Congressman Bill Keating (@USRepKeating) November 15, 2021
Passing the bipartisan infrastructure bill isn’t just a big win for Democrats — it’s a big win for Americans.
— Jake Auchincloss (@JakeAuch) November 8, 2021
We’re making long-overdue investments into our infrastructure and our economic competitiveness.
This is a big deal. pic.twitter.com/iSpMpW8DYA