Stabenow, Peters Tout $1.5B Federal Funding For Infrastructure

Michigan's U.S. senators on Thursday said the state will be receiving more than $1.5 billion in federal road and bridge funding from a federal infrastructure bill signed last fall that is expected to significantly aid in repairing aging infrastructure.

In a Thursday release, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) said the state will receive more than $1.56 billion in appropriations through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 signed last November.

The funding would be split between 11 federal program that will work to repair and replace crumbling roads and bridges, build out electric vehicle infrastructure and reduce carbon emissions.

More than $761.7 million will come to the state through the National Highway Performance Program, the release stated, with another $370.6 million coming from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and $121.6 million from the Bridge Formula Program.

Funding targeting reducing emissions and electrification including funding from the program for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement ($82.2 million); the Carbon Reduction Program ($33 million) and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program ($23.4 million).

Ms. Stabenow in a statement said it constitutes the largest infusion of federal funding for the state to address long-neglected infrastructure.

"It will transform how Michiganders get around the state and improve the safety of our bridges and roads for future generations," Ms. Stabenow said. "This funding is a game changer for Michigan and other critical piece of the investments in infrastructure coming to our state."

In a statement of his own, Mr. Peters agreed, saying he was proud to have worked with fellow members of Congress and the administration to make the funding possible.

"This is a historic investment in our state's infrastructure and will provide much-needed support for our roads, highways, and bridges while creating a network of new electric vehicle charging stations," Mr. Peters said.

The remaining monies will be available through the Highway Safety Improvement Program ($78.5 million); the PROTECT Formula Program ($37.5 million); the National Highway Freight Program ($37.2 million); the Metropolitan Planning Program ($13.9 million); and the Railway-Highway Improvement Program ($903,681).