The money, most of which would go to highway and bridge construction, would be distributed over the next five years. The estimates from the White House did not include other elements of the infrastructure bill, such as money for water and power projects.
"For decades, infrastructure in Oklahoma has suffered from a systemic lack of investment," the White House said Wednesday.
"The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make life better for millions of Oklahoma residents, create a generation of good-paying union jobs and economic growth, and position the United States to win the 21st century."
The Senate has been debating amendments to the $1 trillion bill, which is backed by members of both parties, but no date has been set for a vote on the package. Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford has spoken out against the bill, citing its cost and questions about its financing, while Sen. Jim Inhofe has not taken a position; both are Republicans.
According to the White House, Oklahoma would receive:
—$4.3 billion over five years for highway repairs and construction and another $266 million for bridge replacement and repairs.
"In Oklahoma there are 2,326 bridges and over 1,004 miles of highway in poor condition," according to a White House fact sheet. "Since 2011, commute times have increased by 7.7% in Oklahoma, and on average, each driver pays $394 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair."
A spokesman for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation said Wednesday that officials were still analyzing the bill but that the funding appeared to be an increase of more than 30% over current levels and would "assist us in making transportation investments to benefit our citizens and economy. Additionally, the bill creates several new grant programs we will actively pursue to bring more federal dollars to Oklahoma."
—$354 million for public transportation. The White House said, "Oklahomans who take public transportation spend an extra 50.5% of their time commuting and non-white households are 2.2 times more likely to commute via public transportation. 25% of transit vehicles in the state are past useful life."
—$66 million to expand the electric vehicle charging network in the state.
—$100 million for rural broadband improvements, "including providing access to at least 368,000 Oklahomans who currently lack it," according to the White House. "And, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 1,122,000 or 29% of people in Oklahoma will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access."
© 2021 The Oklahoman. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
