Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured a construction project that is underway in the Lansing, Mich. area that has been funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
The multi-million dollar project is set to rebuild 3.7 miles of U.S. Highway 127 and Interstate 496, while improving and replacing bridges along each corridor. Work will take place through both Clinton and Ingham counties via several phases of work from 2022 through 2028.
The law has authorized up to $108 billion to support federal public transportation programs nationwide.
According to the White House, more than $12 billion has been invested into clean energy and infrastructure project in Michigan under the Biden-Harris Administration.
“When I’m with the apprentices,” said Buttigieg in a statement. “I get the chance to see how they are not just transforming our infrastructure. They’re transforming their futures.”
Since the Bipartisan Law was passed, $6.8 billion has been invested in roads, bridges, public transit, ports, and airports.
“These are projects that have needed work for a long time, but often a lack of funding stood in the way,” said Buttigieg. “The state has stepped up with state funding were stepping up with federal funding.”
Buttigieg says that the projects are fixing the roads and bringing in new job opportunities.
“Creating construction jobs to construct a bigger trading facility to support people in construction jobs is about a full circle moment as I can imagine,” said Buttigieg. “They have gone from 40 apprentices a year to 200 entering these terrific union jobs.”
After Buttigieg’s appearances at the construction site and Lansing Community College, he joined President Joe Biden in Ann Arbor for an event.
Source: WWMT.com, WLNS.com
