Two years in, here’s what Biden’s infrastructure law has done for Wisconsin

Wednesday marks the second anniversary of the signing of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law, a key piece of the president’s economic agenda and the most significant investment in America’s infrastructure in generations. 

Since its signing, $400 billion has been funneled into over 40,000 specific infrastructure projects across over 4,500 communities in all 50 states, as well as in Washington DC, in the US territories, and in tribal lands. 

This funding has upgraded highways, invested in transit systems, improved water systems, funded lead pipe replacement, expanded access to high-speed internet, and more. New projects are breaking ground each day, and the investments have helped fuel a construction and manufacturing boom that’s contributed to the millions of new jobs created over the past two years.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that since the infrastructure bill was signed two years ago, the country has seen the largest increase in state and local capital investment as a share of its gross domestic product since 1979. She lauded the Biden administration’s investments in a statement shared with the public on Wednesday. 

“These investments are boosting our country’s economic strength and resilience for the long haul,” she said. “And they’re also broadening economic opportunity for people and places that have historically been left behind.” 

US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement that with the signing of the infrastructure bill, President Biden ensured that a “prosperous, clean energy economy that invests in the American people” is possible.

“I’m so proud of the progress the DOE has made over the last two years to implement this historic legislation fairly and equitably, underscoring this administration’s commitment to reversing the legacy of inequity and underinvestment woven into our country’s past infrastructure projects,” she said.

In Wisconsin, $5.6 billion in funding has been announced, with over 327 specific infrastructure projects identified for funding, according to the White House.

Of that amount, approximately $3.8 billion has been announced to invest in roads, bridges, public transit, ports, and airports. Another $369 million has been announced for clean water and water infrastructure.

Additionally, the state has received $1.1 billion to connect residents to reliable high-speed internet. As of Oct. 2023, more than 413,000 Wisconsin households are already saving on their monthly internet bill due to the law’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which lowers the cost of low-income customers’ monthly bills.

The Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation has been awarded $15 million to rehabilitate pavement and approximately 11 bridges from Burleigh Street to Silver Spring Drive; this project will reduce transportation-related air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, incorporate new noise barriers to better shield adjacent neighborhoods from highway noise, and more. 

The General Mitchell International Airport Project in Milwaukee has also been awarded $5.1 million from the Department of Transportation to replace flat roof areas on airport buildings that have reached the end of their useful life. 

Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin celebrated the infrastructure law’s second anniversary on Twitter. 

“I’m proud to be delivering Wisconsin families with clean water to drink, safe roads and bridges to drive on, and access to reliable internet,” she said. “And, we’re growing our economy and creating good-paying jobs in the process.”