Birmingham, AL - Today, Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) began her “Building a Better Alabama” Infrastructure District Tour stopping in Birmingham, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL to highlight the transformational funding from the $1 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In addition to the funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Rep. Sewell also highlighted the $17 million RAISE grant recently awarded to the City of Tuscaloosa will help make improvements to the city and surrounding communities. 

The “Building a Better Alabama” Infrastructure District Tour is a series of roundtable discussions, constituency meetings, and site visits throughout Alabama’s 7th Congressional District to connect with constituents and local elected officials to discuss the transformational funding from the $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

“As we all know, COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the legacy of systemic disinvestment that has prevented many American families from reaching their full potential,” Rep. Terri Sewell.  “Issues such as the lack of affordable and quality housing, the lack of living wage jobs, and the lack of access to child care have continuously plagued Alabama’s 7th Congressional District for years. However, as we recover from the pandemic, I am proud to join with President Biden and Congressional Democrats to ensure that we BUILD BACK BETTER, stronger, and more EQUITABLY than before.”

“Today’s visit in both Birmingham and Tuscaloosa reinforced that despite the challenges our district faces, with the proper resources and opportunities, our communities will thrive,” continued Sewell.  The  Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a vital component in ensuring that happens by combating these historic inequalities and uplifting our most underserved communities in transformative ways.”

“It’s imperative that we change the public image of transit. People died for the right for all to have free and clear access to public transportation, which demonstrates the greatest unity to live and work together as a community regardless of race, status, or gender,” said Executive Director and CEO of Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, Charlotte Shaw.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will:

• Create Millions of Good-Paying Jobs - Together with the Build Back Better Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create an average of 2 million jobs per year over the course of the next decade.
• Repair and Rebuild Alabama’s Roads and Bridges - The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. Based on formula funding alone, Alabama would expect to receive:
  • $5.2 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs
  • $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five years. 
• Connect Every Alabamian to High-speed Internet - Broadband internet is necessary for Alabamians to do their jobs, participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected. Yet 18% of Alabama households do not have an internet subscription, and 11.5% of Alabama residents live in areas where, under the FCC’s benchmark, there is no broadband infrastructure. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Alabama will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 565,000 Alabamians who currently lack it. It also makes 1,518,000 Alabamians (31%) eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
• Make Transformational Investments in Alabama’s Water Infrastructure - Currently, up to 10 million American households and 400,000 schools and child care centers lack safe drinking water. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Alabama will expect to receive $782 million over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities. The bill also includes $23 billionnationally for the bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act.
• Improve Healthy, Sustainable Transportation Options - Alabamians who take public transportation spend an extra 66.2% of their time commuting and non-White households are 4.5 times more likely to commute via public transportation. 25% of transit vehicles in the state are past useful life. Based on formula funding alone, Alabama would expect to receive more than $400 million over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve public transportation options across the state.

Alabama 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.

Photos and videos from today’s events in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa can be found here.