Rep. Cleaver Announces Missouri to Receive Nearly $97 Million From the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2022 to Repair Bridges Across the State

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced Missouri will receive $96.9 million this year from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to repair bridges across the state. As part of the largest bridge formula program in American history, the funding marks Missouri's first-year installment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's five-year $484 million investment to rebuild bridges throughout the Show Me State, helping to modernize our bridges, create good-paying jobs, and increase economic growth. The funding was secured with Rep. Cleaver's support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will be available to improve the condition of nearly 2,200 bridges that are in poor condition in Missouri.

"Bridges are more than just elevated concrete and steel—they connect families, workers, and small businesses with the resources and opportunities that allow our communities to thrive," said Congressman Cleaver. "It brings me great joy to announce the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I helped pass in Congress will soon deliver nearly $97 million to Missouri as the first portion of a five-year investment to modernize and repair bridges across our great state. With more than 1,100 bridges in the Fifth Congressional District—many of which have been in desperate need of repair for years—this historic investment is going to provide the funding needed to begin projects that have been stalled for far too long. Not only will this increase the safety of Missourians who traffic over these bridges every day, but it will also create plenty of good-paying jobs and stimulate economic growth in communities throughout the Show Me State."

Nationwide, the Bridge Formula Program is expected to help repair approximately 15,000 bridges. In addition to providing funds to states to replace, rehabilitate, preserve, and construct highway bridges, the Bridge Formula Program has dedicated funding for "off-system" bridges and locally owned facilities, which are those not on the federal-aid highway system. While states typically must match federal funding with up to 20 percent state or local funding, the guidance issued by the Department of Transportation today notes that federal funds can be used for 100 percent of the cost of repairing or rehabilitating such locally owned off-system bridges.

"This funding will provide an opportunity to reconnect numerous communities that were divided due to the construction of the interstate highway system nearly a century ago. Additionally, there are a number of small bridges that have a huge impact on communities all over the Fifth District that can begin to be rehabilitated," said Congressman Cleaver. "I couldn't be prouder to have supported the legislation that made this funding possible, and I look forward to working with the Governor on a bipartisan basis to ensure the needs of the Fifth Congressional District are met—which is only fair considering every other Representative in our state voted to turn away this federal funding that Missouri so desperately needs."

More information on the first tranche of Bridge Formula Program funding for states is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.