IIJA delivering on promise as massive infrastructure catalyst.

RI benefiting from substantial opportunity to finance needed projects.

In mid-April, implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) reached its midpoint. Also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the $350 billion, five-year program has enabled state DOTs in nearly every US county to commit federal funds for eligible transportation improvements in their respective regions. A once in a generation program, IIJA includes the largest year-to-year increase in federal highway investment since the late 1950s — along with the largest dedicated investment in bridges since the construction of the US Interstate Highway System.

Key IIJA advantages for Rhode Island. A review of available federal data was published by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) on November 30, 2023. Highlights of the ARTBA report on the scope and impact of the IIJA for Rhode Island included:

• A 43% first-year increase in the by-formula federal apportionment over the final year of the previous five-year FAST Act
• A total of $1.77 billion in apportionments over the five years to improve RI’s roadway and bridge infrastructure network
• An expected commitment of $312.4 million in funds for FY 2024, which began on October 1, 2023
• The support of three new project commitments for FY 2024 as of the report date
• Four IIJA discretionary project grants in Rhode Island valued at $137.7 million, in addition to the core formula funding

For more information on the IIJA, including more extensive details about the program’s scope and impact on the state and national level, visit the Highway Dashboard page in the Market Intelligence section of the ARTBA website.