Sen. Cramer Statement on Launch of Historic Bridge Investment Program

Statement

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) launch of the Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection, and Construction Program (Bridge Formula Program). The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) plans to provide $26.5 billion for states to repair bridges and infrastructure. This funding was made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

"The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is already bringing results to North Dakota. This historic formula funding will provide $225,000,000 specifically for bridges to ensure goods are getting to market and every North Dakotan is driving on safe roads, bridges, and highways," said Senator Cramer.

The program is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system and will provide North Dakota with $225 million over a five-year period to support bridge improvements and $45 million in the current fiscal year. The funding is allocated through a formula, ensuring smaller population states with higher transportation activities receive the funding they need. North Dakota currently has 444 bridges in poor condition, according to the 2020 National Bridge Inventory.

Background:

In addition to providing funds to states to replace, rehabilitate, preserve, protect, and construct highway bridges, the Bridge Formula Program has dedicated funding for Tribal transportation facility bridges as well as "off-system" bridges, which are generally locally-owned facilities not on the federal-aid highway system. Specifically, the program includes $27.5 billion in dedicated resources for bridges nationwide.

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