On the three-year anniversary of the bipartisan infrastructure law, Representative Sharice Davids highlighted how the law is already benefiting Kansas. The law is bringing about $3.3 billion to the state, funding over 376 projects to improve roads, water quality, broadband access, and more. Davids, who serves on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, worked with the President and White House officials to help pass this legislation. The law focuses on supporting communities across Kansas, including rural areas and historically underserved populations, with investments that will improve life for residents and help the state succeed.
These investments include:
- Roads and Bridges: In Kansas, there are 1,294 bridges and more than 1,967 miles of highway in poor condition. Kansas is expected to receive approximately $2.8 billion over five years for highways and bridges.
- Water: It’s estimated there are 160,000 lead water lines in Kansas – the third highest per capita nationwide. There are also 3,975 miles of wastewater pipe in the Third District and nearly $1 billion in wastewater treatment facility repairs are needed over the next 25 years to prevent overflows and failures.
- Internet: High-speed internet is necessary for Kansans to work, go to school, access health care, and stay connected. Yet, more than 87,489 homes and small businesses in Kansas do not have access to high-speed internet infrastructure, with nearly 23 percent of Kansans not having an internet subscription.
- Airports and Ports: According to national rankings, no Kansas airport ranks in the top 25 airports worldwide. Our ports and waterways are in need of repair and reimagination too.
- Public Transit: Kansas is expected to receive $259 million over five years under the bipartisan infrastructure law to improve public transportation options across the state.
- Clean Energy and Resilience: In the last decade, Kansas has experienced 39 extreme weather events, costing the state up to $20 billion in damages. The bipartisan infrastructure law makes a historic investment to bolster our resilience against pressing challenges like impacts of climate change, extreme weather events, and other hazards like cyberattacks.
- Electric Vehicle Charging: Through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program alone, Kansas should expect to receive roughly $40 million over five years to support the expansion of electric vehicle charging in the state.
The bipartisan infrastructure law, funded through a mix of new revenues and savings, has been praised by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade.
For more details on how this law is enhancing Kansas’ roads, bridges, water systems, and safety, visit here.
