Congresswoman Scanlon Highlights Largest Investment Ever in Bridges Under New Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Press Release

On Friday, January 14, the Federal Highway Administration launched the largest bridge formula program in American history, made possible by the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program represents the largest investment ever made in fixing bridges -- dedicating $26.5 billion to states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico over the five years of the law and $825 million for Tribal transportation facilities.

Pennsylvania will receive a total of $1.6 billion under the new program to address highway bridge needs. The funding is available to improve the condition of 3,353 bridges in poor condition and to preserve and improve more than 12,120 bridges in fair condition in the state.

"Bridges are vital to our infrastructure -- critical to our daily commutes, emergency vehicles, and the trucks that make deliveries to our stores and homes," said Rep. Scanlon. "Here in Pennsylvania, we have thousands of bridges in poor condition that threaten to divide our communities if not addressed. The funding provided by this legislation will help accelerate long-overdue bridge projects across PA-05 and the Commonwealth. I am excited about what it means for our community to have the opportunity to address projects like replacing the bridges on Wanamaker Avenue over Darby Creek or addressing noise abatement along I-95. The projects funded through this legislation will create good-paying jobs, pave the way for decades of economic growth and prosperity, and better position the United States for success within an increasingly competitive global economy."

"The Biden-Harris Administration is thrilled to launch this program to fix thousands of bridges across the country -- the largest investment of its kind in U.S. history," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Modernizing America's bridges will help improve safety, support economic growth and make people's lives better in every part of the country -- in rural, suburban, city, and tribal communities."

"This record amount of funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will allow states and tribal governments to fix the bridges most in need of repair," Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack said. "It will also modernize them to withstand the effects of climate change and to make them safer for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians. Every state has bridges in poor condition and in need of repair, including bridges with weight restrictions that may force lengthy detours for travelers, school buses, first responders, or trucks carrying freight," she added.

Nationwide, the Bridge Formula Program is expected to help repair approximately 15,000 bridges. In addition to providing funds to states to replace, rehabilitate, preserve, protect, and construct highway bridges, the Bridge Formula Program has dedicated funding for Tribal transportation facility bridges as well as "off-system" bridges, locally-owned facilities which are those not on the federal-aid highway system.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes an incentive for states to direct the new Bridge Formula Program funds to off-system bridges owned by a county, city, town, or other local agency. While states normally must match federal funding with up to 20% state or local funding, the guidance issued today notes that federal funds can be used for 100% of the cost of repairing or rehabilitating such locally owned off-system bridges. The bipartisan infrastructure law is a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure, which will grow the economy, enhance U.S. competitiveness globally, create good jobs, and make our transportation system more sustainable and equitable. Specific to the FHWA, the law provides more than $350 billion over five fiscal years for surface transportation programs.

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