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Biden, DOT announce $24M for the CNMI
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivers over 14% increase in funding to repair and rebuild roads and bridges
WASHINGTON—The Biden Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday last week more than $1.14 billion to repair and rebuild roads and bridges for U.S. territories— American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands—and Puerto Rico under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The total amount being made available to Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories in fiscal year 2022 is $219 million.
The historic legislation will improve life for residents and create good-paying jobs and economic growth. Specifically, it will help repair and rebuild roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians.
“This funding will greatly support the territories to improve their highway networks, stimulate economic opportunity and increase highway safety,” deputy federal highway administrator Stephanie Pollack said. “Today’s funding will help move forward major repairs to highways and bridges and improve transportation systems on these islands.”
Over the five years of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CNMI will receive $24 million. In fiscal year 2022, it will receive $4.6 million in funding to pay for critical infrastructure needs.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide over a 14% increase in funding for Puerto Rico and the territories compared to the funding provided in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act. In fiscal year 2022, FHWA will provide $173 million in funding for Puerto Rico and a total of nearly $46 million for four U.S. territories.
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century of 1998 established the Puerto Rico Highway Program. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1970 created the Territorial Highway Program, and subsequent legislation continued the program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to provide dedicated funding to assist each territory in the construction and improvement of a system of arterial and collector highways, and necessary inter-island connectors. (PR)
