The Iron Workers celebrate the Federal Highway Administration’s announcement of a new bridge formula program made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This historic investment is the single largest investment in bridges made at any point in American history and is a strong first step towards helping Americans get back to work rebuilding the economy.

Dedicating more than $27 billion to states and Tribal transportation facilities over the next five years, this investment will fund the repair and rehabilitation of approximately 15,000 of the most-in-need U.S. bridges. This investment, combined with worker protections called for throughout the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, won’t only create good jobs in communities across America, but it will protect our families and our future by ensuring America’s infrastructure can keep people, goods and services moving safely.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which gave America’s bridges an overall grade of C in 2021, estimates that nearly 8% of bridges in the U.S. are structurally deficient. Bridges like the Brent Spence Bridge (Ohio - Kentucky), the Columbia River Crossing (Oregon - Washington), and the Ben Franklin Bridge (Pennsylvania - New Jersey) that serve as the shipping and commuter lifelines in their respective regions are crumbling and need immediate repair. The bridge formula program is designed to address the needs of bridges like these across the U.S. and the Iron Workers are hopeful that states, counties and the federal departments of transportation will work together to get these repairs swiftly underway.

The Federal Highway Administration’s bridge formula program is a clear indication that President Biden and his administration are dedicated to the priorities important to hardworking Americans.