Infrastructure Investment Spending Update

Photo: The above image was provided by Acrow.

In November 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is now the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This legislation addressed the need to upgrade infrastructure that was way past time for improvement. The deal was intended to rebuild America’s roads, bridges and rails; expand access to clean drinking water; ensure every American has access to high-speed internet’ tackle the climate crisis; advance environmental justice; and invest in communities  too often left behind. Now after two years, what has been accomplished?

Current Progress

After two years, progress is being made, as there have been thousands of infrastructure-related projects funded. This claim is supported by fund allocation data being tracked that provides information on administered funds for completed jobs, in addition to  projects that are currently in progress.

Some important information to take away from this data:

• The U.S. is investing $302.4 billion in public infrastructure and clean energy investments.
• So far, $176.9 billion has been announced for transportation investments in roads, bridges, public transit, ports and airports.
• In 2023 alone, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded nine “Mega” transportation projects with funding of nearly $1.2 billion.

This investment in American infrastructure has not only been exciting to the engineering community, but has also increased the number of construction jobs nationwide.

Installation of a Press-Brake Formed Tub Girder Bridge

As We Look Into the Future…Why Not Steel?

As bridge owners and designers consider the numerous infrastructure-related projects that will be funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, they should ask themselves if steel is the right material to them to specify. Bridge officials who take a holistic approach to design that includes economy, sustainability, resiliency and durability know that steel provides a viable solution for these projects.

Steel solutions provide:

• Cost savings that can be significant: smaller abutments, use of local crews, fast installation, lighter equipment – when added up, steel provides significant cost savings.
• A durable and nonporous material, steel provides value and a significant return on investment with bridges that last more than 100 years with minimal maintenance requirements during their service lives.
• Steel’s high strength permits longer spans, minimizing disruption to underlying habitats. In some cases, this can eliminate the need to undertake costly environmental impact studies.
• Steel from a disassembled bridge can be used again for another project. Steel is the most recycled material on the planet and can be recycled continuously without losing its strength.

SSSBA is Here to Help!

The American steel industry is able to meet the demand challenges and opportunities generated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) provides tools, expertise and educational resources to convert plans into projects.

For more information, please explore the SSSBA website or contact Dustin Young at dyoung@steel.org.