New Hope for the future of American Infrastructure

As highlighted by our previous posts, cities throughout North America have become increasingly dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorists. Despite the challenges in front of us, however, many government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels have made strides toward increasing pedestrian and rider safety. As we approach the New Year, let’s take a moment to appreciate the wins in our communities. One major victory for pedestrian and rider safety has been the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law championed by the Biden Administration.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was passed in 2022, providing urban and rural communities across the U.S. with grants funding infrastructure projects from 2023-2026. While much of the funding is allocated to highways, bridges and other car-centric infrastructure, the law includes hundreds of millions of dollars for micromobility and sustainable transportation during a time when our country’s infrastructure is crumbling. The scope of these projects include quick-build bike lanes, wheelchair accessible public transport stations, EV charging stations, increased ferry services, and many more. These investments in green infrastructure today are an investment in our communities for tomorrow.

Safe Streets for All

One of the most exciting results of the BIL has been the announcement of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. The SS4A program focuses on projects targeting the reduction of road-side injuries and deaths. For example, Detroit, MI plans to spend over $24 million improving safety and accessibility at over 50 high-risk intersections. In 2023 the U.S. DOT awarded over $813 million to communities under the SS4A program and have since announced plans to open an additional round of funding in February 2024. The funds provided by the BIL and SS4A program have given many underserved communities the opportunity to invest in their future and create safer, more accessible communities.

Looking Ahead

Federal investments in local communities provide an encouraging opportunity to revitalize our neighborhoods and improve safety conditions for all. While the funding for the BIL may seem like a drop in the bucket compared to other areas of government spending, it is a step in the right direction and sets a precedent for future federal government leaders to support communities in their civic investment. Hundreds of communities have already benefited from this influx of funding, and we at Cellvion are excited to share updates as these respective programs continue to develop.

If you would like to learn more about how your state or territory benefits from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, you can read more here. As our communities battle adversity, do you believe legislation like the BIL will become more frequent, or is this a once-in-a-generation investment?