The trillion-dollar infrastructure bill that the US Senate passed Tuesday will direct $8 billion to Massachusetts for various projects if the measure ultimately becomes law, Senator Ed Markey’s office said Tuesday.
Markey’s office provided that eye-popping tally, as well as a breakdown of the disbursals, in a statement shortly after he and his colleagues passed the bill by a 69-30 tally, sending the measure to the House of Representatives. The House must also pass the bill before it’s sent to President Biden for his signature.
According to the statement, the cash that would come Massachusetts’s way includes $4.2 billion for road improvements, $1.1 billion for bridge replacement and repair, and $2.5 billion for enhancing public transit systems like the MBTA.
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In addition, the statement said, Massachusetts would get $63 million for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and at least $100 million to help expand broadband access across the state.
“By investing billions in Massachusetts highways and transit systems, we can finally begin the process of replacing the Cape Cod bridges and updating the MBTA to make it more efficient and climate resilient,” Markey said in the statement. “ ... We must now turn our full attention to passing the $3.5 trillion budget resolution to take the action needed to address the climate crisis and invest in our children, families, and seniors.”
Markey was referring to Biden’s bigger $3.5 trillion package next up for the Senate — a more liberal undertaking of child care, elder care and other programs. That debate is expected to extend into the fall.
Markey’s Massachusetts colleague, US Senator Elizabeth Warren, tweeted Tuesday that “our work isn’t done. We need universal child care, clean energy investments & more. We pay for it by making the wealthy & corporations pay their fair share. Let’s get it done.”
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John Pourbaix, executive director of Construction Industries of Massachusetts, praised the Senate for passing the trillion-dollar bill Tuesday.
“Today’s passage in the Senate of the aggressive, and much needed, federal infrastructure bill is a huge victory for Massachusetts roads, bridges, transit and vast transportation system,” Pourbaix said in a statement. “The bipartisan efforts to secure passage reflect the universal recognition that quality transportation infrastructure is critical for our economy, jobs, safety, environment, and our globally competitive future. We are hopeful the House takes similar action.”
A White House fact sheet on the bill provided additional information on the Bay State-bound funds, should the measure make it over the goal line.
Per the document, Massachusetts has 472 bridges and over 1,194 miles of highway currently listed in poor condition. The funding could help repair those bridges and roadways, the sheet said, and “Massachusetts can also compete for the $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program for economically significant bridges and nearly $16 billion of national funding in the bill dedicated for major projects that will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities.”
Public transit would also get a windfall, according to the White House document.
The sheet said 23 percent of transit vehicles have exceeded their “useful life,” and under the bill passed Tuesday, Massachusetts would expect to get $2.5 billion for public transit to be spent over five years.
On the broadband front, the White House noted that Internet access has become critical for performing jobs, school participation, and health care. Yet, the fact sheet continued, 11 percent of Massachusetts households lack an Internet subscription, and 2 percent of the state’s roughly 6.9 million residents live in areas with no broadband infrastructure.
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Under terms of the bill, the sheet said, at least 137,000 people in Massachusetts who currently lack broadband coverage would be able to get it, and 1.3 million residents would be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which helps low-income families pay for Internet access.
“Over the coming days and weeks, we will expect to receive additional data on the impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in Massachusetts,” the fact sheet said.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com.