How Federal Funds Will Address State’s Infrastructure Needs
Here’s some of the challenges Connecticut’s infrastructure faces, and how the federal legislation will help the state.
According to cbia, many of the challenges that that state of Connecticut faces may be solved depending on how the federal government allocates cash.
Roads and Bridges
According to a study from the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, Connecticut has the fourth worst road infrastructure in the country, with over one-third (34%) of the state’s roads in “poor” or “nonacceptable” conditions.
Nearly 250 of the state’s bridges and over 2,150 miles of highway are also in poor condition.
And since 2011, commute times have increased by 11%, while each driver now pays an average $711 per year because of deteriorating roads.
From formula funding alone, Connecticut will receive $4 billion over five years in federal funding for roads and bridges—an increase of over one-third (34%) compared to the current funding.
The state will also receive $79 million over five years to reduce transportation-related emissions, and $90 million over five years to increase the resiliency of the transportation system.
Along with the guaranteed funding, Connecticut will have the opportunity to vie for competitive grants made up of a $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program and $15 billion for megaprojects.
Transportation Safety
The infrastructure bill will provide $17 million over five years in Highway Safety Program funding—a 29% increase—along with $21.3 million to augment commercial motor vehicle safety efforts to reduce crashes through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program—a 72% increase.
In April 2021, to highlight the need for renewed infrastructure spending, the White House released a report card for all states.
Connecticut received a C-, with the administration noting that the state’s infrastructure “suffered from a systemic lack of investment.”
Connecticut’s local and tribal governments are also eligible to directly compete for $6 billion in funding from the Safe Streets for All program, a program designed to increase infrastructure safety for drivers and pedestrians.
