Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

November 17, 2021 11:19 AM
by Stephanie Venegas

On Monday, November 15, President Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, H.R. 3684, after it had passed both the U.S. Senate and House with bipartisan support. The $1.2 trillion legislation represents the largest single infrastructure investment in American history and holds the potential to dramatically improve life in our city by increasing the reach of broadband internet, making public transit more accessible and clean, expanding the EV charging network, and creating a more resilient and sustainable water supply.

The new law includes a five-year, $383.4 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill, and an additional $559 billion in new funding for roads and bridges, road safety, railways, airports, public transit, electric vehicle infrastructure, ports and waterways, the electric grid, broadband, water infrastructure, school modernization, resiliency and western water storage, and environmental remediation.

The State of California expects to receive over $30 billion in the following funding areas from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, of which cities like Santa Monica are eligible for direct or competitive proportionate funding:

• $100 million to improve access to broadband infrastructure, further closing the digital divide for Santa Monicans and furthering the City’s goal of broadband access for all in our community.
• $9.45 billion to improve access to public transportation, especially to boost ridership on bus and rail and to electrify both school and public transit fleets, enabling the city to further its goal of an all-electric, zero-emissions Big Blue Bus fleet by 2030.
• $384 million over five years to build a network of chargers for electric vehicles; the expansion of EV chargers in Santa Monica is crucial in addressing rising EV driver demand, increasing charging accessibility for Santa Monicans and furthering the City’s Electric Vehicle Action Plan.
• $3.5 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state; additional funds will help finance local water supply projects to enhance drought resiliency and reduce the City’s reliance on imported water, furthering the City’s goal of water self-sufficiency by 2023.

This landmark legislation will transform our nation's infrastructure and communities across the country, like Santa Monica, for the better. Thank you to President Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla and Congressman Ted Lieu for bringing forward this historic investment that will improve the lives of Santa Monicans for many years to come. 

Authored By

Stephanie Venegas
Council & Legislative Affairs Liaison