The IIJA Must be Reauthorized

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), expires on Sept. 30. That is 268 days away.

This law must be reauthorized, and the roads and bridges construction industry needs to push our lawmakers to get this done.

The IIJA is not perfect. But despite its flaws, it is likely the most effective, bipartisan tool Congress has passed this century to strengthen the nation’s economy, protect public safety and restore confidence in the federal government’s ability to govern responsibly. 

During the first two decades of this century, the United States spent trillions of dollars on war and nation building in Iraq and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, our country’s lawmakers failed to invest in infrastructure and serious issues, especially with the nation’s bridges, were neglected. 

America can’t afford to make this mistake again. It must continue to invest in infrastructure.

The IIJA has already demonstrated why long-term, predictable federal investment matters. Since its passage in 2021, the law has delivered hundreds of billions of dollars to every state for roads, bridges, transit systems, ports and freight corridors. 

These investments are visible and tangible. Bridges that had been weight-restricted or functionally obsolete are being repaired or replaced. Long-delayed highway and transit projects are finally moving forward. Construction and skilled trade jobs have been created in communities large and small, reinforcing the local economic benefits of federal infrastructure policy. 

Reauthorizing IIJA would protect that momentum and prevent a costly funding cliff that would stall projects midstream.

The urgency of reauthorization is underscored by the condition of America’s infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Infrastructure Report Card gave the nation an overall grade of “C.” While this reflects modest improvement, it also confirms that much of the country’s transportation system remains in fair or poor condition. 

Roads and bridges continue to deteriorate faster than they can be repaired without sustained investment. 

Infrastructure does not fail overnight; it degrades quietly, imposing higher vehicle repair costs, longer commutes and greater safety risks on the public. 

The IIJA has helped slow that decline, but without reauthorization, those gains will erode.

From an economic standpoint, IIJA is a long-term cost-control strategy. Investing in maintenance and modernization today is far cheaper than paying for emergency repairs, structural failures or complete replacements later. 

Reliable infrastructure improves freight efficiency, strengthens supply chains and reduces transportation costs that ultimately show up in consumer prices. 

At a time when inflation and economic uncertainty remain top concerns, reauthorizing IIJA supports growth without relying on short-term stimulus.

The case for reauthorization is also strategic. As global instability and foreign policy challenges demand attention, strong domestic infrastructure underpins national security and resilience. 

Ports, highways, rail networks and energy corridors are essential for military mobility, disaster response and economic independence. A nation that neglects its infrastructure weakens its ability to project strength abroad and respond effectively at home.

Politically, the IIJA reauthorization represents a rare opportunity for bipartisan governance. The law passed with support from both parties because infrastructure benefits every district and every voter. Allowing it to expire would not only disrupt state and local planning but signal dysfunction at a time when Americans are demanding results. 

Reauthorizing the IIJA affirms that Congress can still work across party lines to address fundamental needs.

Ultimately, infrastructure is not a partisan issue or a discretionary luxury. It is a public safety obligation and an economic necessity. Reauthorizing the IIJA is essential to maintaining progress, protecting taxpayers and ensuring that the United States remains competitive, resilient, and safe for decades to come.