In the final weeks of the Biden administration, nearly $9 billion in grants and loans were authorized for transportation and infrastructure projects across the U.S. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), announced funding for a variety of initiatives aimed at modernizing the nation’s infrastructure and promoting sustainable transportation.
The DOT’s Build America Bureau allocated a $1.89 billion loan to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the reconstruction of New York City’s midtown bus terminal. The 74-year-old terminal, serving over 250,000 passengers daily, will be replaced with a modern, expanded facility to meet growing commuter demands.
Other funding highlights include:
- Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity: $1.32 billion awarded for 109 infrastructure projects, including bike lanes, ADA-compliant sidewalks, and road widening in various cities like Flagstaff, Arizona, and Sarasota, Florida.
- Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program: $785 million for 24 projects, such as replacing bridges in Cullman, Alabama, and improving roads in Kansas.
- Reconnecting Communities Pilot: $544 million for 81 communities, with significant investments like $27 million for accessible pathways in Watts, Los Angeles, and over $85 million to deck a section of U.S. Route 40 in Baltimore.
- Airport Infrastructure Grants: $332 million for 171 projects, including improvements at Phoenix Sky Harbor and Tallahassee International airports.
- The Federal Highway Administration also received funding for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, with $635 million dedicated to installing more than 11,500 EV charging ports across 27 states. The Federal Transit Administration allocated $1.97 billion to extend the Red Line in Chicago, along with additional funds for bus rapid transit (BRT) lines in Indianapolis and Monterey-Salinas, California.
Furthermore, the Federal Railroad Administration received $1.1 billion for 123 projects aimed at improving safety at railroad grade crossings nationwide.
These grants and loans reflect a broad effort to modernize transportation networks, enhance sustainability, and increase accessibility across the country. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized that the funding would modernize roads, rails, and transit systems, ensuring that U.S. infrastructure connects more communities and meets the needs of the 21st century.
