Press Releases

WILMINGTON, Del. — Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) announced that Delaware is expected to receive $45 million in 2022 to repair bridges across the state under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection, and Construction Program (Bridge Formula Program). The program, to be administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), represents the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. In total, Delaware is expected to receive $225 million from this program over the next five years. This vital investment in Delaware’s surface transportation infrastructure is made possible with funding allocated to states through the newly passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Law, which Blunt Rochester voted to pass in November 2021. 

“The funding announced today through the Bridge Formula Program will allow Delaware to make long-overdue investments to bridges up and down the state that are in need of repairs and updates,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “Repairing our bridges will not only make Delaware safer but will also grow our local economy by creating jobs and making it easier to move commerce. I’m grateful that Congress was able to work together to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law last year for President Biden to sign into law. I look forward to future investments to come from this law that will benefit our state and keep Delawareans connected.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes approximately $1.2 trillion in funding for America’s surface transportation infrastructure, including our roads, highways, and bridges, clean water infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure, electric vehicles, public transportation, reliable and affordable broadband, and more. Along with its once-in-a-century investments in our nation’s infrastructure, this law will also create good-paying jobs, tackle the climate crisis head-on, and enhance America’s competitiveness on the world stage. For more information on the provisions included for Delaware, you can click here. 

Additionally, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes an incentive for states to direct the new Bridge Formula Program funds to off-system bridges owned by a county, city, town or other local agency. While states normally must match federal funding with up to 20 percent state or local funding, the guidance issued today notes that federal funds can be used for 100 percent of the cost of repairing or rehabilitating such locally owned off-system bridges.

 For more information on the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Formula Program funding to states, click here. 

###