Biden's Costly, Progressive Construction Venture Misadventure
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed into law in November 2021, was hailed as a significant step towards repairing and modernizing the USA's infrastructure with a $1.2 trillion price tag. However, the implementation of the law has faced several challenges, as evidenced by the ongoing delays in various projects.
One of the most high-profile projects yet to break ground is the new span for the Brent Spence Bridge, connecting Covington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio. Despite the bridge seeing over 150,000 vehicles a day, environmental lawsuits and debates over funds allocation have stalled the project. As of President Joe Biden's January 2023 visit, he declared that the 'talking is over' about its repair.
The BIL has been criticized for its allocation of funds, with passenger rail accounting for just 0.1 percent of travel in the United States, yet receiving $66 billion, about 10 percent of all transportation funding. This significant investment has not led to a noticeable improvement in infrastructure investment during Biden's term, due to rapidly rising construction costs and the myriad mandates put on building.
The BIL also provided funding for electric-vehicle chargers on U.S. roads, but only about 70 individual ports were built before the election. The law allowed states to use funds for electric-vehicle charging stations, wildlife crossings, recreational trails, and 'natural infrastructure' like environmental restoration.
The BIL allocated $70 billion to the Department of Energy, nearly as much as transit, for projects such as 'Clean Direct Air Capture Hubs,' 'Carbon Storage,' and 'Carbon Capture.' This focus on clean energy aligns with the Biden administration's commitment to addressing climate change.
The Biden administration has also pushed for increased diversity in infrastructure projects. State and local governments receiving BIL funds were encouraged to sign the Equity in Infrastructure Project Pledge, committing them to expand contracting opportunities for minority-owned firms. The BIL required states to give at least 10 percent of all contracts to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (firms owned by minorities and women).
The BIL drew backing from just 19 Senate Republicans and only 13 House Republicans, making it the least bipartisan transportation bill in history. This lack of bipartisan support has contributed to the challenges faced in implementing the law.
Not all projects under the BIL have faced delays. $1.6 billion was allocated to build a companion bridge and reconfigure the existing one, with the new bridge planned to be built in Cincinnati. However, construction on the new span isn't scheduled to begin for another year and isn't projected to finish for another 11 years.
The BIL's impact on infrastructure investment in the United States remains a topic of ongoing debate. While the law has provided significant funding for various projects, the delays and challenges in implementing the law have raised questions about its effectiveness. The future of these projects and the state of America's infrastructure will continue to be a focus of discussion in the coming years.
Read also:
- Potential Consequences of Dismantling FEMA Vary Across States
- Railway line in Bavaria threatened by unstable slope - extensive construction site at risk
- Wind Farm Controversy on the Boundary of Laois and Kilkenny
- Puerto Rico's Climate Lawfare Campaign experiences another setback with the dismissal of its deals.
