The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Examining Investments in County Infrastructure

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL/P.L. 117-58) provides nearly $1 trillion in funding over five years, including $550 billion in new investments divided between transportation and other core infrastructure sectors like water, broadband, energy and environmental remediation. Because 90 percent or more of federal transportation funds flow directly to state DOT’s, counties do not receive any guaranteed, direct federal funding to operate and maintain the nation’s roads and bridges despite significant responsibilities. Without access to these formula funds, counties and other local governments must compete for the 10 percent or less of funding that remains for competitive programs. In total, counties received just 8 percent of funding under the seven programs in FY 2022, while cities and towns received 31 percent; states 48 percent; and “other” 12 percent.