Lawmakers, Biden Administration Discuss Infrastructure Investments for PA

Image courtesy: Commonwealth Media Services

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Erie News Now) – Wednesday, Governor Tom Wolf was joined by members of Congress, state lawmakers, and President Biden’s Infrastructure Coordinator to discuss the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The $1.2 trillion investment was signed into law last November. Now, lawmakers and officials are discussing where the investments will be going and exactly how much is expected.

Infrastructure funding for roads, bridges, broadband and more has become paramount in recent years for Pennsylvania. Today, White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrien shed some light on what The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act means for the Commonwealth.





“Roads and bridges, airports and ports and waterways, delivering high speed internet to every person in America,” said Landrien. “There’s a lot of talking going on, but not a whole lot of walking, and President Biden is in the business of walking and delivering on promises. $1.2 trillion. Think about that number,” Landrien added.

Of the $1.2 trillion, Pennsylvania is expected to receive the following over the next five years:

  • $11.3 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs
  • $1.6 billion for bridge replacement and repairs
  • $2.8 billion to make public transportation improvements
  • $171 million to expand electronic vehicle (EV) charging
  • $100 million for broadband expansion
  • $49 million to protect against wildfires
  • $26 million to protect against cyber attacks
  • $1.4 billion to improve water infrastructure and ensure safe, clean drinking water
  • $355 million for airport infrastructure improvements

“Infrastructure affects everything we do from where we live, where we work, how we live, how we visit family, how we visit friends, how we just get around,” said Governor Tom Wolf at this morning’s event. “Good infrastructure supports stronger communities, improves the quality of life, it promotes economic development, it promotes growth,” said Wolf.





















Lawmakers say Pennsylvanians will also benefit from the bill’s $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization, which they say will reduce energy costs for families.

“This infrastructure bill is going to help us meet our clean energy goals to fight climate change,” said Wolf.

Landrien says the investments are aimed to help all Americans succeed by providing equal opportunities with things like improved public transit and enhanced broadband.

“It’s all about making America better for everybody else, giving people a little breathing room and allowing them to have a platform on which to build generational wealth,” said Landrien. “Knowledge is the great equalizer, and you can’t have knowledge if you don’t have access to it and high-speed internet is access to the future,” Landrien added.









Gov. Wolf, who is term-limited, says the investments will allow his successor to build on the progress that has been made.

“I know I’m on my way out, but I know whoever wins the governor’s race is going to keep this process moving,” said Wolf. “I mean, we are the Keystone State, so I would argue we deserve to have a lot of infrastructure investment right here in Pennsylvania,” Wolf added.

 

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