How Much Money is Being Pumped by Washington into Infrastructure?

While Americans are getting money deposited into their accounts from the $1.9 trillion relief package, many in the construction industry are wondering how much of that money will be going towards infrastructure.

The nation's roads have been in need of improvements for years and the industry has been looking to Washington for help. President Biden's American Rescue Plan (ARP) is aimed at providing necessary funding to get projects started. The recent stimulus package has designated $10 billion in emergency funding. 

According to the American Roads & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), key provisions in the COVID-19 relief measure include:  

  • $350 billion for state and local governments to use for local economic relief purposes and to offset pandemic-induced declines in tax revenue;
  • $30.5 billion for public transportation agency operations to offset the foregone revenue from ridership declines and other COVID-related factors; 
  • $10 billion for states to use on capital projects that help enable work, education, and health monitoring; and
  • $8 billion for airports to help with operating and other costs associated with airport revenue declines over the last year.

Varying amounts have been allocated to different states. You can check out exactly how much your state has access to by clicking here.

As always, Republican and Democrat lawmakers are at odds on how the money should be used. Democrats are pushing to include green initiatives, as well as tax increases to pay for the legislation. Republicans aren't sold on the effectiveness of climate-related provisions and believe tax hikes will actually hurt the economy in the long run.