Driving Mobility and Infrastructure Forward with $4.2 Billion Investment
The future of American infrastructure took another major leap forward with the announcement of over $4.2 billion in funding for national projects. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, two grant programs — the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program and the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program — are helping revamp infrastructure across the country.
Through fiscal years 2025 and 2026, these funds will support 44 major projects, from replacing Boston’s aging Draw 1 Bridge to overhauling Des Moines’ I-35/80/235 interchange. These efforts will streamline transportation, reduce delays and address infrastructure bottlenecks that have long hindered travel and logistics.
The MEGA and INFRA programs focus on high-impact areas. Projects like Florida’s Long Key Bridge replacement will not only improve traffic but also enhance safety for critical evacuation routes. And it’s not just the cities reaping the benefits. Over half of the selected projects will provide a boost to rural communities, ensuring that everyone, from the biggest metro hubs to the smallest towns, feels the impact of these investments.
With construction set to span the next two years, these projects will create thousands of jobs, reduce emissions and transform how Americans travel — a pivotal step toward a stronger, more connected future.
Empowering Communities Through Environmental Justice Funding
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program has unlocked $40 million to fund environmental justice projects across the Mid-Atlantic. Communities in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia can now apply for subgrants ranging from $150,000 to $350,000 to support a range of initiatives, including neighborhood cleanups, disaster preparedness and efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and improve air and water quality. Applicants can apply through the Green & Healthy Home Initiative (GHHI), the Regional Grantmaker.
“These grants will empower communities to address their most pressing environmental problems,” said Adam Ortiz, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. Projects like local cleanups, asthma-related health programs and workforce development will help bring environmental justice from aspiration to reality.
Organizations can apply for one- or two-year grants, with applications for the two-year grants due by November 30, 2024. Smaller, non-competitive grants of up to $75,000 are also available for quick, impactful projects. As Ruth Ann Norton, president and CEO of GHHI, put it, “[This] program provides an unprecedented opportunity…to make tangible and transformative differences in communities throughout EPA Region 3.”
Powering Progress: $562M Awarded for Grid Resilience Projects
The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded over $562 million in federal cost-share to five innovative projects through its Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Designed to supercharge grid resilience, these projects are set to modernize the U.S. power grid by improving efficiency, capacity and reliability.
Georgia Power leads the charge with over $160 million to deploy dynamic line rating technology and reconductor high-voltage lines, reducing outages and supporting the state’s clean energy goals. Arizona Public Service Company (APS), with $70 million in GRIP funds, will boost smart grid resilience and wildfire prevention measures, enhancing reliability for customers — even when Mother Nature is in a mood.
In the Northwest, Avista Utilities and Idaho Power are employing wildfire-resistant designs in an $85 million upgrade to boost interregional power transfer capacity, benefiting customers and local tribes alike. With GRIP’s latest round, DOE funds 46 projects across 47 states, pushing us closer to a grid ready for the future.