Dive Brief:
- The Biden administration awarded $2.7 billion in funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law to hundreds of projects meant to strengthen U.S. ports and waterways, the administration announced Tuesday.
- The money for projects in Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Oklahoma, California, Colorado, Texas and elsewhere will improve supply chain resiliency in the face of more frequent floods, landslides and other climate challenges, according to a fact sheet.
- The latest funding brings the U.S.'s total infrastructure and supplemental spending to nearly $17 billion in more than 800 projects across 55 states and territories in FY2022 and FY2023, according to the administration.
Infrastructure funding awards around the country
Dive Insight:
President Joe Biden's bipartisan infrastructure deal included an estimated $17 billion for ports and waterways. Upgrades became a key priority after a pandemic, inflation and other disruptions walloped supply chains and laid bare their inadequacies.
The $2.7 billion in funding awards for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects will go towards deepening and widening shipping channels, flood risk reduction efforts and habitat restorations from California to Virginia.
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine and Reps. Bobby Scott and Elaine Luria issued a joint statement applauding the investments in the Norfolk Harbor widening and deepening project and storm risk management projects in the City of Norfolk and coastal Virginia Beach.
"This funding will advance key infrastructure projects in the region that will invest in the Port of Virginia, boost the local economy, create good-paying jobs, and preserve Virginia's status as a leader in maritime trade and defense," the Democratic lawmakers said in the statement.
The announcement followed the release of the White House's $5.8 trillion fiscal 2023 budget, which proposes billions more in funding for highways, ports, domestic manufacturing and other supply chain infrastructure. Congress must approve and appropriate the federal spending.
