Industry Insights: Bridge and Highway Investment

Increased Infrastructure Spending Aims to Improve Highways & Bridges

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act represents the largest investment in transportation infrastructure in U.S. history, and includes funding to repair the country's aging roads and bridges, eliminate rail repair backlogs, expand utility networks and electric car charging stations, and upgrade water systems.

The White House calls on states to create "freight movement playbooks" which can help prioritize which highways see the most freight volume and need infrastructure improvements or repairs. This program would work in tandem with monies set aside for bridge and road projects.

Bridges and Roads

The infrastructure bill reserves $110 billion for bridge and road improvements. The plans call for a focus on how to build out infrastructure for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists with climate change, equity and safety in mind.

There is also tens of billions of dollars in grant monies that the state can apply for to help repair and replace significant highway and bridge projects.

Transportation Related Infrastructure Spending

New Infrastructure Legislation will be the largest investment in transportation infrastructure in U.S. history, and included funding to repair the country’s aging roads and bridges.

Estimated Bridge Allocated Spending by State

California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois will see the highest estimated bridge allocations.

Increased Bridge Funding Renews Calls for Worker Safety 

Repairing and Rebuilding Bridges and Highways Require a Renewed Focus on Worker Safety

Government Funded Bridge Projects Require Fall Protection, and Safety Measures to Protect Our Workforce

For the third year in a row, fall protection was #1 on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Top 10 list of the most cited violations, with 8,241 fall protection citations issued in 2014, according to OSHA. Now, more than ever, all bridge contractors must learn how to implement comprehensive fall protection programs. The new infrastructure bill will invest $110 billion of new funds for roads, bridges, and major projects, and will in turn increase the frequency of construction, and maintenance workers on America’s bridges.

Bridge contractors can increase fall protection by taking 4 key steps:
(American Road & Transportation Builders Association)

1. Plan: A well-designed fall protection plan written by a qualified person
2. Provide: Employers must provide the correct fall protection equipment for the job.
3. Train: Employees must be trained by a competent, qualified person.
4. Enforce/Evaluate: Enforcement mechanisms can include discipline within the normal chain of command, for example.