Hawaii to receive $2.8B with passage of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Hawaii will get a $2.8 billion chunk of the $1.2 trillion in federal investments, which was made possible by today’s passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Hawaii’s senators announced today.

Hawaii’s senators voted with their colleagues in favor of the act which will address the country’s bridges, transit systems, internet, wildfires, water infrastructure and more.

“Billions of federal dollars for Hawaii are in this bill to help us fix up our roads and bridges, and create thousands of new jobs across the state,” said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing in a news release.

“This massive investment will make it safer and easier for Hawaii families to get around, while helping grow our local economy,” he said.

Investments specific to Hawaii include the following estimates:

>>$1.2 billion for federal aid highway programs over five years

>>$225 million for bridge replacement and repairs over five years

>>$316 million over five years to improve public transportation

>>$18 million over five years to expand an electric vehicle charging network in Hawaii

>>At least $100 million to expand broadband coverage across the state, providing access to at least 33,000 Hawaii residents who lack coverage

Included in the nationwide package is $9 billion for innovative energy technologies including solar and wind, energy storage, geothermal, hydrogen and water power.

Native Hawaiian community organizations are preferred partners for federal grants for solar and wind project development.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, chair of the Energy Subcommittee said in a news release, “This historic investment in our nation’s infrastructure means that communities across the country can address their longstanding infrastructure needs.”

But she added: “It is critical we deliver on the promises we’ve made to help American families through affordable childcare, a permanent expanded Child Tax Credit, universal pre-K, Medicare expansion and paid family leave.