President Biden is set to sign the massive bipartisan infrastructure package into law on Monday. But what should states expect from the package that carries a crucial part of the president's domestic agenda?
The package, which received backing from both sides of the aisle, is priced at $1.2 trillion and will be the most significant investment into the nation's infrastructure in recent decades.
Money will now be given to states for them to use on their public transportation, roads, bridges, ports, railways, power grids, broadband internet, and water and sewage systems.
The money itself will not be divided equally as $110 billion will go to fix America's roads and bridges; $66 billion to mainly improve Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line and other routes; $65 billion to expand broadband internet access; $65 billion to modernize the nation's electrical grid; $55 billion for water and sewage systems; $39 billion to expand public transportation systems; $25 billion for airport renovation; and $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging stations. The bill will also carry other lesser investments.
Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, who worked on the package, shared with News Talk 830 WCCO that seeing both parties work on the bill showed its importance to the country.
"It's exactly how government should work," Phillips said when talking about the bill's bipartisan support.
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$550 billion of the package is new spending set to help states repair their damaged infrastructure due to lack of investment or funding. In comparison, about $650 billion will be reallocated from already editing projects and funds.
The money will also help local governments that have put needed projects on the backburner.
"The American people sent us here to deliver. The American people said they sent us here to make their government work, and they sent us here to make a difference in their lives. And I believe we're doing that. I believe that's just what we're doing," Biden said before a Cabinet meeting on Friday.
Local elected officials have shared their excitement for the infrastructure package as it will carry a broad reach of who it helps.
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The Mayor of Mobile, Alabama, Sandy Stimpson is one official who has been watching the package ever so closely, USA Today reported.
The port of Mobile recently underwent a project to deepen its channel to accommodate larger vessels. Now, with the port already growing busier by the day, Stimpson's town will need help updating the surrounding infrastructure like railroads, inland waterways, and airports. That's where the package comes in.
Along with other officials across the nation, Stimpson is looking to secure money to address several issues stemming from the increased number of vessels the port is taking in.
The money will help overhaul several projects, including addressing a bottleneck on Interstate 10 and remodeling the city's airport.
"We have a very compelling case to be made for some of these funds," Stimpson said, USA Today reported.
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However, money won't be given out so freely as a significant portion of the $1.2 trillion will be given out through competitive grants. In some cases, this means states and cities will compete for the same share of money.
"We are going to have to be all hands on deck to be ready," Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said, USA Today reported.
Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, shared that some spending is going to be based on need, while others will be formulaic.
"We've got to work very hard to make sure that we get it right," Buttigieg said. "That the criteria are transparent, that it is easy to understand how to apply – whether you are a big city with full-time staff here in Washington, D.C., or a small, rural community trying to navigate that federal process."
