What’s in the $1.9T stimulus for transportation?

President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act on Thursday after the bill passed the House and Senate. Photo: P&Q Staff

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act that President Biden signed Thursday reportedly contains billions of dollars that were advanced for transportation-related efforts.

According to Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon), who chairs the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, his committee advanced nearly $100 billion in aid for transportation workers whose jobs are at risk due to the pandemic.

DeFazio says the bill includes $50 billion in aid for FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) to reimburse state, local, tribal and territorial governments dealing with ongoing response and recovery activities from COVID-19 – including vaccination efforts, deployment of the National Guard, providing personal protective equipment for public sector employees, and disinfecting activities in public facilities such as schools and courthouses. The bill also directs FEMA to continue providing funeral assistance for COVID-19-related deaths.

In addition, $30.5 billion in aid will support transit initiatives and assist with operating costs – including payroll and personal protective equipment. The $30.5 billion includes dedicated funds to support rural transit agencies, transit service for the elderly and individuals with disabilities, and transit on tribal lands.

Eight billion dollars is being directed to airports, DeFazio says, to cover the costs of operations, personnel and cleaning.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration ($3 billion), aerospace manufacturing ($3 billion) and Amtrak ($1.7 billion) will also see aid from the American Rescue Plan Act, according to DeFazio.