Last week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee heard testimony on the state and federal response to the collapse of the Key Bridge. In addition to a recap of the cleanup efforts, testimony turned to bridge replacement and who is paying for it.

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., introduced the Baltimore Bridge Response Invests and Delivers Global Economic Relief Act, in which the federal government would fund 100% of the replacement of the bridge and its approaches. Cardin said the money is needed immediately.

"We are asking for the 100%, because that's what we've done in the past and we need it now," Cardin emphasized. "Because we are lending contracts to start the construction now. We don't want to delay this. Every month it's delayed is additional loss to our communities, and frustration among drivers, not only those that are directly impacted by the port, but those that are using our streets."

The legislation requires any funds recovered from insurance proceeds or as compensation for damages be used to reduce the federal government outlay. The current estimate to replace the bridge is $1.7 billion.

The Maryland Transportation Authority is evaluating proposals from design-build teams and expects to have a team chosen by mid- to late summer. Senators in the committee focused on safety upgrades to protect bridge piers against collisions from Neo-Panamax size ships such as the container ship Dali.

Paul J. Wiedefeld, Maryland transportation secretary, said designers will ensure pier protection.

"Whether it's through islands or actually moving the piers further apart," Wiedefeld explained. "If you put these piers much further apart, obviously, that's a natural protection. That'll be played out through the design as a high priority."

The bridge rebuild completion target is fall 2028.


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Federal officials have opened up a new round of funding under one of the many grant programs tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

As the multiyear initiative unfolds, North Dakota cities are getting an education on how to apply for funds. Since the law's passage, North Dakota has been awarded more than $3 billion, with investments in roads and bridges, water systems and high-speed internet.

Matt Gardner, executive director of the North Dakota League of Cities, said what is great about the package is towns and cities have more direct access to funds, instead of most of it being distributed by the states. It also means there is stiff competition.

"One thing to consider is, of the 355 cities in North Dakota, 306 of those are under a thousand people in population," Gardner pointed out.

He suggested smaller communities might lack the capacity to examine the dozens of programs and figure out compliance needs for grants. The National League of Cities is hosting "bootcamps" for local governments to help them become more savvy in applying. The latest funding announcement was for a pilot effort to help reconnect areas cut off from opportunity by past transportation projects.

Gardner acknowledged the Biden administration is trying to make the application process easier with free technical assistance but noted municipalities may need a few more tips on not wasting time in seeking grants that would not fit their needs. And they need to know if they can cover matching funds.

"This money isn't free. I mean, it comes with strings," Gardner emphasized. "If a city is applying directly, in general, it's going to be those local funds (that are also needed)."

He added several towns can work together on a single application with hopes of the state covering matching funds, potentially boosting approval chances. Gardner agreed with elected officials who said the infrastructure law will help communities thrive, creating temporary jobs along the way. His only caution was a potential spike in project costs if the investments collectively drive up demand for supplies.


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New York is seeing ripple effects from Gov. Kathy Hochul pausing "congestion pricing."

The Metropolitan Transit Authority halted numerous capital projects like Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades at subway stations and track replacements. The pause is costing the state 100,000 jobs congestion pricing's $15 billion in revenue would have paid for.

Rachael Fauss, senior policy adviser for Reinvent Albany, said Hochul's decision has effects beyond New York State.

"Every single Congressional district in New York and New Jersey and Connecticut have companies that do business with the MTA," Fauss pointed out. "Those are jobs that the MTA creates. The vast majority of them are from its capital program."

Talks are ongoing to get congestion pricing back up and running. It could have a lower toll, but it will not stop the backlash the program faces. Other states, municipalities, and organizations filed lawsuits related to the program. The outer boroughs and the state of New Jersey would all have seen increased pollution due to congestion pricing but the transit authority was planning to use program revenues for mitigation work.

Some feel Hochul's decision was a shortsighted political move. The governor cited the toll for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street as a major reason for pausing the program. Fauss noted it means future projects could result in delays at best and cuts at worst.

"They are going to have to cut 'state of good repair' projects and those are the things that keep the system working," Fauss emphasized. "If they can't fund state of good repair projects, that means more delays, worse service because the system is more likely to break."

Along with lost jobs, the pause will cost workers more than $3 billion in lost wages. Several groups including legal advocates and the New York City Comptroller are exploring pathways to enact the program. Some feel not putting the program in action violates state law and the 2021 "Green Amendment."


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The Biden administration announced nearly $8 million in grants to improve public transportation, including a large and rural system in South Dakota, connecting people to critical services.

Prairie Hills Transit covers roughly the western third of the state and riders clock about 180,000 trips per year. It is receiving nearly $270,000 through a Federal Transit Administration pilot program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to improve transit for people with disabilities, older adults and low-income individuals.

Lisa Johnson, deputy director of Prairie Hills Transit, said the organization will use the funds to purchase a contactless payment system for riders, an upgrade from the wood tokens the system uses now.

"By going to a contactless payment technology, we're hoping to streamline it to improve the reliability of the rider's experience," Johnson explained. "They can manage their fare card and have an ongoing history of what they're paying."

Johnson noted it will streamline operations for the transit system, negating the need to manage tokens and cash checks from riders. The system sees a wide range of ridership, she added, including low-income people, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans and youth.

The new system will include an updated website to help riders plan trips in advance. Johnson noted in an area with scattered small communities, people use public transit to go back and forth between them.

"We have five communities that are within a 20-mile radius," Johnson pointed out. "I'm hoping to link those communities in a more efficient and timely manner."

Johnson emphasized Prairie Hills Transit plans to roll out its new system in about a year.


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