The signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in the US will provide a massive boost for the road construction sector. Industry bodies have been quick to praise the development.
American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) president & CEO Dave Bauer commented: “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the most significant measure in more than 50 years to meaningfully address the condition and performance of the US transportation network.
Meanwhile, National Asphalt Paving Association (NAPA) president and CEO Audrey Copeland said, “This bill represents a once-in-a-generation investment in the country’s transportation networks, demonstrating America’s long-standing commitment to provide safe roads, airports, and transit for the traveling public. We urge president Biden to quickly sign this bipartisan package into law, so we can build back better with increased jobs, enhanced safety, and improved roads.”
Bauer continued, “Members of the US 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.
“We salute president Joe Biden, house speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif), house majority leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md), Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), Sen Tom Carper (D-Del), Sen Shelley Moore Capito (R-WVa), Sen Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz), Sen Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Rep Peter DeFazio (D-Ore) for their leadership in getting the job done, along with other members of Congress who voted for final passage.
“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.”
According to NAPA, ratification of this bipartisan effort to safeguard and advance the nation’s infrastructure will provide an additional investment of US$110 billion for roads and bridges – for a total $360 billion over five years – guaranteeing predictable and enhanced funding for state and local governments to build, repair, and maintain roadways.
“The hard-working women and men of the asphalt pavement industry applaud the inclusion of many elements NAPA advocated and supported,” added Jay Hansen, NAPA’s executive pice president for Advocacy. Among NAPA priorities included in the final bill are reauthorisation of the Accelerated Implementation and Deployment of Pavement Technologies (AID-PT) program to advance innovation for constructing and maintaining long-lasting pavements, as well as increased federal contributions to safety contingency funds to protect the women and men working daily to keep Americans and the economy moving so they can return home safely.
Also notable is an absence of pavement selection mandates, empowering road owners and engineers who know the projects best to design and build cost-effective pavements that serve their communities efficiently.
The last long-term funding bill, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, was originally set to expire in 2020 but has been temporarily renewed while legislators and stakeholders worked toward a long-term approach. The result is IIJA, which increases highway and bridge programs by 55 percent over the FAST Act’s 2015 baseline. As a result, NAPA projects each state will receive more than $1 billion total in Federal Highway Administration funding to repair and improve roads and bridges.
The US has a desperate need to improve its roads and bridges. A lack of funding over many years has resulted in the US transport network suffering badly in terms of maintenance and repairs. The new funding programme will help revitalise the network, boosting transport and also deliver new jobs in construction, construction machinery manufacturing and also the supply of construction materials.
