On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the approval of 180 new infrastructure grants. This move aims to tackle the backlog of over 3,200 projects that the current administration inherited. The funding package totals $3.2 billion, with the largest grant allocated for the construction of Alabama’s I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Multimodal Project. This project is essential for updating the aging tunnels and bridges in the state.
Duffy emphasized that the Department of Transportation is streamlining its processes by removing certain requirements. These include regulations related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as environmental measures that he described as unnecessary. He stated that these changes will help reduce costs and speed up construction, which had been hindered by red tape in the past.
“America is building again,” Duffy said, highlighting the administration’s focus on efficient and effective infrastructure development. He criticized the previous administration for creating delays and increasing costs through extensive regulations. According to the Department, road construction costs rose by about 70% during that time, largely due to burdensome reporting requirements.
In addition to Alabama, other states set to benefit from this funding include Mississippi, Montana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, West Virginia, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Maryland, and California. The funding will also support airport terminal projects in 22 states and rail structures in five states.
The current state of bridges in the U.S. is concerning. There are over 623,000 bridges nationwide, with nearly half classified as being in "fair" condition. The average age of these bridges is around 47 years, which means many are nearing the end of their typical lifespan of about 50 years. This situation presents both challenges and opportunities for infrastructure improvement, as preserving bridges in fair condition is often more cost-effective than replacing those in poor condition.
As the Department of Transportation moves forward with these grants, the focus remains on revitalizing America’s infrastructure while minimizing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.