(Source: AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department press release, March 23, 2022)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issued this statement in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement of $2.9 billion for major infrastructure projects through a combined Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:
“Today’s announcement of nearly $3 billion in combined funding for the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program, Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, and Rural Surface Transportation Grant (RURAL) program is a major step forward both in meeting TTD’s call for transformative investments in America’s infrastructure and President Biden’s pledge to build back better.
“Major infrastructure projects, which are often multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional, are long overdue and desperately needed but have historically been difficult to achieve due to siloed federal formula funding. For too long, major projects that can expand the safe, efficient, and affordable movement of goods and people have suffered from this chronic challenge. The Gateway Tunnel project, the B&P Tunnel replacement, new high-speed rail corridors, expanded highway capacity, and access to better transit are just some of the long-standing major infrastructure needs that can be addressed by today’s grant opportunity.
“By enabling state, regional, and local governments to submit one streamlined application for funding across three major grant programs, the Biden Administration is tackling the nation’s biggest infrastructure needs in a truly transformative fashion. Transportation labor and the American voters sent this president to the White House for exactly this kind of progress and good middle-class job creation.
“President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg continue to demonstrate clear leadership in tying the delivery of federal grant funding to strong guarantees that these investments will create and maintain good union jobs. By encouraging applicants to demonstrate support directly from unions, these grants will guarantee an immediate difference in the lives of the working people whose labor makes such projects possible. Federal investments in infrastructure have long come with the promise that they will be designed, built, operated, and maintained by workers who are fairly compensated for their labor. Yet no administration in modern history has ever taken such proactive steps to ensure the promise is actually kept.
“Today’s funding announcement can move America squarely into the 21st century. We look forward to continuing to work with the Biden Administration to advance historic investments in infrastructure and good union jobs through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”