Maine to get $245M to maintain and build roads, highways and bridges
Photo / Renee Cordes
Maine currently has over 1,438 miles of highway in poor condition and 315 bridges considered to be “structurally deficient."
Maine will receive close to $245 million in federal funding to maintain and construct roads, highways and bridges across the state, Maine's two U.S. senators announced on Monday.
A total of $244,550,089 in funding was authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and provided through the Federal Highway Administration.
The funding is intended to tackle a backlog of repairs on more than 1,438 miles of Maine highways in poor condition and 315 bridges considered to be “structurally deficient.”
“Deteriorating roads cost Mainers hundreds of dollars each year on average in vehicle repairs and wasted gasoline due to congestion," said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the ranking member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee and one of 10 senators who negotiated the text of the bipartisan infrastructure law.
Noting that poor road designs also create hazardous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, Collins added that the planned improvements "would help all users of Maine roadways reach their homes and jobs safely and more quickly.”
U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, added, “Go for a drive basically anywhere in the State of Maine, and you’ll see why our state so desperately needs investments in roads and bridges. Whether it’s potholes, erosion damage or rusty bridges, our infrastructure is aging — which contributes to traffic, unsafe conditions, and an average of more than $500 in annual repair costs for Maine drivers. Fortunately, thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, historic investments are on the way,"
The Federal Highway Administration said Monday that it will provide $52.5 billion in funding to all 50 states and the District of Columbia in fiscal year 2022, representing a spending increase of more than 20% over the previous fiscal year.
The investment aims to help reduce overdue repairs for highways and bridges and support communities’ efforts to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries.
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