The Claiborne Pell Bridge in Rhode Island, connecting Newport and Jamestown, could be one of the major beneficiaries of the bipartisan infrastructure bill (Rhode Island bridges are among the worst in the US). 

Procrastination is something that affects everyone. From homework, to emails, to projects, there’s no doubting the detrimental effects it can have on productivity. However, it appears Congress is taking this to a whole new level, taking over 6 months to pass their $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. Overall this bill adds $550 billion in new spending which provides fundings for roads, bridges, utilities, and more (Joe Biden's Infrastructure Bill Will Boost Competitiveness for Decades). But what is the significance of this passage and what does it mean for us?

Massachusetts as a whole stands to benefit greatly from this bill. It is estimated the state will receive around $12.5 billion towards supporting road maintenance, water infrastructure, public transport, and improving home efficiency, among others (Lisinski). On a day to day basis, the truth is that this bill likely will not cause noticeable differences. While one can certainly expect to see long term improvements, rapid use of these funds is not a likely scenario. For many provisions, particularly those involving public transportation, there is no set limit of when the money must be spent. Thus, it is in the government’s best interest to spread the cash out rather than to commit large sums of money towards flashy big name projects such as, say, building a brand new bridge over Boston Harbor. Even though this may sound disappointing, there is plenty of reason to be optimistic. As mentioned before, in the grand scheme of things, there is no doubt that public services will greatly improve. While further investments in roads, bridges, and transportation such as the commuter rail may not generate hype, the long term gains certainly will. As the Peter G Foundation explains, “each $100 spent on infrastructure boosts private-sector output by $13 (median) and $17 (average) in the long run.” In other words, with approximately $1 trillion spent on infrastructure boosts, one could expect an average of $170 billion added to the private sector (What Economic Effects Can We Expect from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill?). By using data from the American Investment Council, this would mean a near 15% increase in private sector output (2020 Economic Impact). This is critical because it shows that the new infrastructure is not only erasing decades of backlog that have long been neglected by politicians, but it also shows signs of economic gains. In other words, over a 10 year period Americans can expect a more stable and robust economy. This in turn is linked to high employment rates, stable inflation, and strong dollar valuations. Should this projection become a reality, everyone stands to benefit. In a time where the economy has been severely damaged by the pandemic, getting back on track is just what the country needs.

Works Cited:

“2020 Economic Impact.” American Investment Council, 24 May 2021, https://www.investmentcouncil.org/economicimpact/. 

Chris Lisinski, State House News Service. “Mass. Aid in Infrastructure Bill Could Surpass $9 Billion.” Mass. Aid in Infrastructure Bill Could Surpass $9 Billion | WBUR News, WBUR, 8 Nov. 2021, https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/11/05/massachusetts-infrastructure-bill-aid. 

“Joe Biden's Infrastructure Bill Will Boost Competitiveness for Decades.” The Economist, The Economist Newspaper, 8 Nov. 2021, https://www.economist.com/united-states/joe-biden-passes-the-less-contentious-half-of-his-legislative-agenda/21806187. 

“What Economic Effects Can We Expect from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill?” Peter G. Peterson Foundation, 12 Aug. 2021, https://www.pgpf.org/blog/2021/09/what-economic-effects-can-we-expect-from-the-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill.

Rocheleau, Matt. “Rhode Island Bridges Are among Worst in US.” BostonGlobe.com, The Boston Globe, 10 Feb. 2019, https://www.bostonglobe.com/rhode-island-bridges-are-among-worst/We3DJ3mZzQlcSkYff1kYdM/story.html.