Biden Harris Administration Invests $500 Million for the I 83 South Bridge in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes improvements to major bridge project in Pennsylvania

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HARRISBURG, Pa. - Today, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America tour, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced $500 million for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the Interstate 83 (I-83) South Bridge Replacement Project in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to provide a new I-83 bridge that is in good condition and is able to handle the transportation needs of the rapidly growing region of Pennsylvania. The new structure will be wider with better shoulders, improved on- and off-ramps, and more streamlined interchanges. The grant is part of an announcement of more than $5 billion in Large Bridge Project awards through the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) competitive Bridge Investment Program, part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda.

The grants will fund the reconstruction, repair, and restoration - using American-made materials - of 13 nationally significant bridges in 16 states that connect communities to jobs and resources, support the economy, and serve as critical corridors for freight travel. These projects will also address important safety issues and make the bridges more resilient to extreme weather, all while creating good-paying jobs.

"For too long America let bridges fall into disrepair, which left people less safe, disrupted our supply chains, and cost people time and money - but now the Biden-Harris Administration is changing that with the biggest investment in our bridges since the Eisenhower era," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "There are currently about 3,000 fewer bridges in poor condition than when our administration began, and today we are proud to announce funding to repair or replace 13 of America's largest and economically significant bridges."

"Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Bridge Investment Program, we are reinvesting in our infrastructure and ensuring vital connections for Americans who need to get to a job, a class, or a doctor," said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. "This grant in Pennsylvania is helping to advance a critical bridge project that will improve safety, the overall quality of life and ensure this country's infrastructure works for everyone."

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will receive $500 million for the I-83 South Bridge Replacement Project in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to replace a bridge originally built in 1960, and widened in 1982, that carries more than 125,000 vehicles per day over the Susquehanna River. The bridge is the major cross-river connection in Downtown Harrisburg and is key to intermodal connectivity--ultimately linking Pennsylvania's capital region with Baltimore.

"I'm proud to announce that thanks to our partnership with the Biden Administration, Pennsylvania has been awarded $500 million for the replacement of the I-83 bridge over the Susquehanna River. This is the largest federal grant for a single transportation project in Pennsylvania history - and it's a huge investment in this community and our Commonwealth," said Governor Josh Shapiro. "I-83 is a vital artery in central Pennsylvania that connects our communities on each side of the river, helping 125,000 Pennsylvanians get to their jobs, medical appointments, and grocery stores every day. For a year and a half, I have bothered the President and Secretary Buttigieg about this bridge - and because they listened to the good people of Pennsylvania, we will get this job done under the leadership of Secretary Carroll to connect our communities and grow our economy for decades to come."

"This grant to replace the I-83 South Bridge is a game-changing victory for all who live, work, and travel through South Central Pennsylvania," said U.S. Senator Bob Casey. "I pushed for this $500 million in funding from the infrastructure law because I know how important it is that this bridge remains safe and reliable for the many Pennsylvanians who count on it. Today, we're celebrating a truly generational investment in our infrastructure, our safety, our supply chains, and our communities."

"PennDOT is immensely grateful for the advocacy of Governor Josh Shapiro, Sen. Casey, and our federal delegation in helping to secure Pennsylvania's largest ever federal transportation grant," PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. "We also thank President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg and our federal partners for this critical investment which will not only make travel on the South Bridge safer and more efficient but will also allow existing funds to accelerate other highway projects across Pennsylvania."

The Large Bridge Project Grants under the Bridge Investment Program are available for bridges with total eligible project costs over $100 million, with minimum grant awards of $50 million and a maximum award of 50 percent of the total eligible project costs. Priority consideration is given to projects ready to proceed to construction. The program also funds projects that require pre-construction work and benefit from a multi-year grant agreement.

President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the Bridge Investment Program, and invests $40 billion over five years to ensure the nation's bridges remain safe and operational, meet current and future traveler needs, support local economies, strengthen supply chains to keep costs down for consumers, and create good-paying jobs across the country. More than 10,200 bridges are being rebuilt, repaired, or modernized thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In Fiscal Year 2022, the Bridge Investment Program invested $2.4 billion in the planning and construction of 37 bridges in 29 states across the country.

Additional information on FHWA's Bridge Investment Program, including Large Bridge Project Grants and Bridge Planning Grants, can be found HERE.

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