Two years in, here’s what Biden’s infrastructure law has done for Virginia

Wednesday marks the second anniversary of the signing of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law, a key piece of the president’s economic agenda and the most significant investment in America’s infrastructure in generations. 

Since its signing, $400 billion has been funneled into over 40,000 specific infrastructure projects across over 4,500 communities in all 50 states, as well as in Washington DC, in the US territories, and in tribal lands. 

This funding has upgraded highways, invested in transit systems, improved water systems, funded lead pipe replacement, expanded access to high-speed internet, and more. New projects are breaking ground each day, and the investments have helped fuel a construction and manufacturing boom that’s contributed to the millions of new jobs created over the past two years.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that since the infrastructure bill was signed two years ago, the country has seen the largest increase in state and local capital investment as a share of its gross domestic product since 1979. She lauded the Biden administration’s investments in a statement shared with the public on Wednesday. 

“These investments are boosting our country’s economic strength and resilience for the long haul,” she said. “And they’re also broadening economic opportunity for people and places that have historically been left behind.” 

US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement that with the signing of the infrastructure bill, President Biden ensured that a “prosperous, clean energy economy that invests in the American people” is possible.

“I’m so proud of the progress the DOE has made over the last two years to implement this historic legislation fairly and equitably, underscoring this administration’s commitment to reversing the legacy of inequity and underinvestment woven into our country’s past infrastructure projects,” she said.

In Virginia, $8.4 billion in funding has been announced, with over 247 specific infrastructure projects identified for funding, according to the White House.

Of that amount, approximately $5.8 billion has been announced for upgrades to roads, bridges, public transit, ports, and airports. Another $290 million has been announced for clean water and water infrastructure.

Additionally, the state has received $1.5 billion to connect residents to reliable high-speed internet. As of Oct. 2023, more than 429,000 Virginia households are already saving on their monthly internet bill due to the law’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which lowers the cost of low-income customers’ monthly bills.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $100 million to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority; these funds will be used to improve rail infrastructure and safety in the state. The DOT has also awarded Washington Dulles International Airport a total of $69.6 million to construct a new, 14-gate concourse.

“It’s been two years since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was signed into law,” Virginia Senator Tim Kaine said on Twitter. “All across our Commonwealth, Virginians are already reaping the benefits—whether it’s new infrastructure projects popping up or the good-paying jobs coming with them.”