Two years in, here’s what Biden’s infrastructure law has done for New Hampshire

November marked the second anniversary of the signing of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law, a key piece of the president’s economic agenda and the most significant investment in America’s infrastructure in generations. 

Since its signing, $400 billion has been funneled into over 40,000 specific infrastructure projects across over 4,500 communities in all 50 states, as well as in Washington DC, in the US territories, and in tribal lands. 

This funding has upgraded highways, invested in transit systems, improved water systems, funded lead pipe replacement, expanded access to high-speed internet, and more. New projects are breaking ground each day, and the investments have helped fuel a construction and manufacturing boom that’s contributed to the millions of new jobs created over the past two years.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that since the infrastructure bill was signed two years ago, the country has seen the largest increase in state and local capital investment as a share of its gross domestic product since 1979. “These investments are boosting our country’s economic strength and resilience for the long haul,” she said in a statement last month. “And they’re also broadening economic opportunity for people and places that have historically been left behind.” 

In New Hampshire, $1.4 billion in funding has been announced with over 81 specific infrastructure projects identified for funding, according to the White House. 

Of that amount, approximately $934.3 million has been announced for upgrades to roads, bridges, public transit, ports, and airports. Another $172 million has been announced for clean water and water infrastructure. 

Additionally, the state has received $196.6 million to connect residents to reliable high-speed internet. As of Oct. 2023, more than 36,000 New Hampshire households are saving on their monthly internet bill due to the law’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which lowers the cost of low-income customers’ monthly bills.

As part of the law, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation was awarded roughly $20 million to replace the General Sullivan Bridge in Rockingham and Strafford counties. The project will replace the bridge with a new two-girder superstructure to re-open the path across Little Bay that provides a link between Newington and Dover. 

The Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) was also awarded nearly $8 million to build a new facility for its administration and operations. The new facility will feature solar panels, and will help sustain transit operations while allowing all staff to work under one roof. 

Manchester Boston Regional airport was awarded a $4.1 million grant to be used to replace existing terminal cooling towers, fans, internal exhaust decks, control equipment, and more. 

Finally, the City of Franklin in Merrimack County was awarded $1.9 million to clean up the Ferrari Mill Site, which was formerly used to make hacksaw blades and produce tool components before it was abandoned in 1986. The site is currently contaminated with hazardous substances, heavy metals, and more. 

“NH is already seeing the benefits with significant federal funding to repair crumbling roads & bridges, improve high-speed internet, and get families clean water,” New Hampshire Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan said on Twitter last month.

All four Democratic members of the state’s House and Senate delegation, including Hassan, supported the legislation.