U.S. Senators Susan Collins, R-ME, and Angus King, I-ME, said Oct. 19 that Maine will receive a total of $45 million to maintain and reconstruct bridges across the state.  This funding was authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). 

Senator Collins, the Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, was part of the core group of 10 Senators who negotiated the text of the bipartisan infrastructure law. Senators Collins and King both worked to negotiate and pass this historic legislation, which will deliver billions of dollars to Maine for investments in roads, bridges, broadband, and more.

This funding will help to address the backlog of repairs needed for Maine’s transportation network.  Maine currently has more than 300 bridges considered to be “structurally deficient.”

“Improving Maine’s infrastructure is one of my top priorities as Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee,” said Senator Collins, in a news release.  “This $45 million investment to replace and rehabilitate deteriorated bridges will benefit residents and local economies across the state, particularly in rural communities.  Without adequate funding for maintenance, bridges that fall into disrepair become unsafe and subject to eventual closure, resulting in substantial detours and economic harm.  By supporting projects that will strengthen bridge reconstruction programs, this funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law will help ensure that Mainers can reach their homes and jobs quickly and safely.”

Senator Angus King said: “Go for a drive basically anywhere in the State of Maine, and you’ll see the need for investments in roads and bridges. Whether it’s potholes, erosion damage, or rust, these vital arteries of our communities are aging – creating unsafe conditions, hampering our economy, and inflicting an average of more than $500 in annual repair costs for Maine drivers. Fortunately, thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, historic investments are on the way. This funding to maintain and reconstruct bridges will improve our state’s infrastructure for decades, create good-paying jobs, and ensure that Maine people can travel without undue risks or expenses. I’m pleased to see this significant investment in Maine’s needs and look forward to the legislation’s continued support for our state’s communities.”

FHWA announced that it is providing $59.9 billion in funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 

This apportioned funding for Fiscal Year 2023 provides a $15.4 billion increase as compared to Fiscal Year 2021 for Federal-aid Highway Program apportionments.  This funding is distributed annually by FHWA for the Federal-aid Highway Program based on a statutory formula contained in the bipartisan infrastructure law.  This investment will help reduce the backlog of major repairs for highways and bridges and support communities’ efforts to reduce traffic deaths, serious injuries and carbon emissions.

Federal-aid Highway Program funds are authorized periodically by Congress in multi-year laws to assist the States in providing for construction, reconstruction, and improvement of highways and bridges on eligible Federal-aid routes and for other special purpose programs and projects.  The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law establishes or continues FHWA programs and authorizes funding for those programs from the Highway Trust Fund.