Utah communities have so far received more than $2.4 billion under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the bipartisan infrastructure bill negotiated by Romney and his colleagues:
“Two years ago today, I was proud to see our bipartisan infrastructure bill signed into law. For decades prior, elected officials had talked about the need to address our nation’s aging infrastructure, yet various challenges and disagreements had resulted in little progress. Our Senate group—five Republicans and five Democrats—worked earnestly to change that. I could not be more proud of what we accomplished: legislation to modernize, replace, and expand physical infrastructure in communities across the country without raising taxes or adding to our national debt,” said Senator Romney.
“Throughout the past two years, I have been able to travel across Utah to meet with state and community leaders to see firsthand how our legislation has helped address local challenges. An agreement was reached to provide running water to the nearly half of Navajo Nation in Utah who had lived without it. The Utah Department of Transportation received funds to modernize and expand critical transportation corridors and public transit systems throughout the state. High-speed internet access was extended to rural and underserved communities. Funding was poured into critical water projects. The list goes on. Utah has unique infrastructure needs due to our increasing population growth and climate, and I look forward to projects throughout our state continuing to receive support from our bipartisan legislation for years to come,” Romney concluded.
“We remain grateful for the bipartisan infrastructure bill Congress passed two years ago, both as a rare sign of bipartisan consensus on an important topic and for the important investments it’s helped us make throughout Utah. We’ve invested prudently in Utah’s broadband, roads, rail, water infrastructure, and much more. We appreciate the good work of Sen. Romney for including Utah priorities in the bill and for our agencies for working hard to secure every available dollar for Utah.” – Utah Governor Spencer Cox
“As a rapidly growing state, Utah finds itself in a challenging position of needing to both maintain aging infrastructure, but also prepare for the needs of a growing population. Mindful of fiscal responsibility, our state has been a wise steward of the federal funds we have received—and the support we will continue to receive—for our infrastructure projects. The IIJA is a generational opportunity for Utah to make lasting investments that will carry us through the next century.” – Laura Hanson, State Planning Coordinator & Managing Director of Planning Coordination, Utah Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget
Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Highlights for Utah in 2023:
- $24.5 million for the Utah Department of Transportation to fund pedestrian and bicycle improvements to 10 light rail stations and 13 bus stops along the Wasatch Front.
- $317 million to the State of Utah to help expand high-speed internet access to rural and underserved communities.
- $29 million to the Salt Lake City International Airport for a phased Terminal and North Concourse Redevelopment Program replacing aging and capacity constrained facilities.
- $7.4 million to Park City Transit to improve more than 72 bus stops, including rider amenities.
- $12 million to the State of Utah for clean water projects that will support Utah communities in upgrading essential water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure that protects public health and bodies of water.Â
- $60 million to the Utah Transit Authority for its Light Rail Vehicle Replacement Project.Â
- Increased funding for the Uinta-Wasatch–Cache National Forest in Northern Utah and the Pine Valley area of the Dixie National Forest near St. George to build critical infrastructure and strengthen wildfire resilience to protect from catastrophic wildfire.
More details on how the bipartisan infrastructure bill is delivering for Utah can be found here.