BIL Positively Influences Job Growth Within Construction Industry

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is increasing the number of active transportation-related projects throughout the U.S., with several in the queue ready to start. (See previous article here). The White House recently published an article on the positive impact this legislation is also having on job creation within the construction industry.

Job Gains Within the Construction Industry

The current administration’s efforts have led to the development of 670,000 jobs in the construction sector. On average, over 20,000 jobs per month have been created, and growth is even higher than pre-pandemic averages. These jobs are often high-paying positions, with success at modernizing legislation like the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts aiding the effort. With the construction industry being so large, how did this work directly impact the transportation industry, and in particular, the bridge industry?

Bridge Industry Job Growth

As the White House document explains, a good indicator of the BIL’s effects on job growth is through the heavy and civil engineering industry (specifically road and bridge construction) that is federally funded. Based on the data in Figure 1, employment was at a series high and that was based on recent growth coming from employment in highway, street and bridge construction.

Figure 1.) Heavy and Civil Engineering Employment by Sub-Industry

Some additional facts provided by the White House include:

• Since January 2021, the highway, street and bridge construction industry has added 38,300 jobs, 37,600 of which were added after the BIL was signed into law (Figure 2)
• The current pace of 2,800 jobs per month is notably strong compared to 2011-2019, where it averaged 700 jobs per month.

Figure 2.) Highway, Street and Bridge Construction Employment 2000-2023.

The BIL investment is improving critical infrastructure throughout the country while providing good, high-paying jobs to support a sustainable future. The focus on rebuilding America’s infrastructure must continue.

How Can the SSSBA Help?

The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) provides vital connections with industry stakeholders throughout the national infrastructure network. The SSSBA has developed technical and design innovations for bridges under 140 feet that save significant time and costs for county and state bridge officials.

The SSSBA offers complimentary customized educational guest speakers/webinars and workshops (on-site or virtual) specifically for county engineers, state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and design firms. The workshops are taught by industry experts with decades of experience in the cost-effective design and construction of short span bridges.

Past workshop presentation topics include:

• Practical and Cost-Effective Steel Bridge Design
• Free Design Tools (eSPAN140 and SIMON)
• Pre-engineered Bridge Solutions
• Coating Solutions (galvanized, painted, and weathering steel)
• Innovative/Accelerated Bridge Construction Options
• Case Studies (from local counties)
• Buried Soil Steel Bridge Structure Alternatives
• Life-Cycle Analysis

For more information, please visit this link. To customize a workshop for your organization, please contact:

• Dustin Young (Director of the SSSBA) at dyoung@steel.org or 412-580-1492.