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The Biden administration has announced $830 million in grants to improve U.S. infrastructure in preparation for climate change. EcoWatch, established in 2005 in Ohio, is a digital platform that focuses on sharing high-quality, science-based content about environmental topics, including issues, reasons, and solutions.
The Biden administration has revealed plans to provide nearly $830 million in funding for 80 projects nationwide aimed at enhancing deteriorating roads. These investments are intended to strengthen transportation infrastructure to better handle severe weather conditions such as heat waves, flooding, and rising sea levels, all of which are linked to climate change.
The unique awards are being supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program, which aims to enhance transportation operations and resilience while saving costs. This funding is in addition to the existing PROTECT Formula funding that states receive for similar projects, as stated in a press release from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the United States Department of Transportation.
Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation in the United States, expressed concern about the impact of extreme weather on transportation infrastructure, noting that climate change has made these events more frequent and severe. He emphasized that America's infrastructure was not designed to withstand the current climate conditions, leading to real consequences for people across the country.
Over $50 billion has been allocated for climate adaptation and resilience efforts through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding will support the development of a National Climate Resilience Framework aimed at enhancing strategies to help local communities withstand the impacts of climate change.
According to the press release, the majority of the U.S. transportation system was created and constructed prior to the rise of more frequent and severe extreme weather events. These events are now leading to greater harm to transportation infrastructure.
Funding from the PROTECT program will be used for various projects that aim to improve the durability of roads, highways, bridges, public transportation, ports, pedestrian facilities, and intercity passenger rail. By enhancing their ability to withstand damage, this will ultimately save money by lowering the expenses for future repairs and upkeep.
In a statement, Buttigieg mentioned that extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, are negatively impacting transportation infrastructure in the US. This includes wildfires affecting rail lines in California, mudslides closing highways in Colorado, droughts halting barge traffic on the Mississippi River, and floods disrupting subways in New York. These events are not only cutting off access for people to reach their destinations but also risking an increase in the cost of goods by disrupting supply chains.
FHWA is awarding grants in 37 states, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, which fall into four different categories.
Shailen Bhatt, the administrator of the FHWA, stated in a press release that every community in America is experiencing the effects of climate change and extreme weather, such as heavy rain, flooding, and sea-level rise. The investment from the Biden-Harris Administration will help ensure that infrastructure can withstand these weather events, which is crucial for people and businesses that depend on roads and bridges to keep the economy functioning properly.
Communities that face challenges are often the ones most vulnerable to dangers, and the grant program aims to promote environmental fairness by meeting the needs of these communities.
The program welcomed applicants from various levels of government, such as local governments, Tribes, and state DOTs, to apply for PROTECT discretionary-grant funding. These awards aim to support communities in becoming more resilient, safe, healthy, equitable, and economically strong, aligning with the goals of the National Climate Resilience Framework.
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