Late on November 5, the House of Representatives passed the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA by a vote of 228 to 206 that includes $550 billion in new spending for roads, bridges, transit, water, and other infrastructure.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) incorporates the five-year transportation reauthorization bill and provides an unprecedented investment in public transit and specifically buses. The package includes $110 billion for roads and bridges, $39 billion for public transit, $65 billion for broadband, $55 billion for water systems, $65 billion for power grid systems, $7.5 billion for a national network of electric vehicle charging stations. According to the Bus Coalition, the Bus and Bus Facility Program increases from $808 million in 2021 to $2.2 billion in FY26 (a 172% increase). The public transit funding provides for upgrades to public transit systems nationwide. The allocation also includes money to create new bus routes and help make public transit more accessible to seniors and disabled Americans. It provides $12 billion annually for transit capital expansion and $18 billion for state of good repair.
According to American Road and Transportation Builder Association, IIJA will provide $7.82 billion in state formula funds for highway, bridge, and transit investment in Missouri over the next five years, including a 32 percent funding increase in FY 2022. Missouri is slated to get $674 million to improve public transportation and would also be able to apply to a program to transition their public transportation fleets to become zero-emission.
“The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act brings $9 billion to Missouri to help repair our roads and bridges, fix our water systems, expand broadband internet access, and improve our public transit,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act is a strong first step; now, we need Congress to pass Build Back Better to help make our city stronger and safer by increasing funding for community violence intervention programs, expanding quality, affordable child care for working families, and extending the Child Tax Credit.”
Biden signed the document on November 15. In addition, Democrats continue to work on a broader $1.75 trillion human infrastructure and climate change reconciliation bill which contains $10 billion for the new Affordable Housing Access Program. Assurances were reached between moderates and progressives and we expect the House and Senate to volley the specific provisions back and forth over the coming weeks.