Infrastructure federal cash infusion a welcome sight for failing Florida

As tourists came to Florida and the Orlando area in waves to celebrate the holidays, one downfall can be the strain they put on the state’s infrastructure. Floridians need an infrastructure system that is prepared for the many hazards we face as residents and be able to handle the influx of visitors our state sees each and every year as a top tourist destination.

Therefore, Florida requires a robust infrastructure system, but the Florida section of the American Society of Civil Engineers recently assigned our state’s systems a cumulative grade of C in its “2021 Report Card for Florida’s Infrastructure,” meaning the state’s infrastructure is in mediocre condition. Several categories scored poorly, including dams (D-), levees (D+) and coastal areas (C-), all showing much room for improvement.

Our state has seen an uptick of 2.7 million residents over the past decade as well as some of the nation’s most severe weather events, both of which are putting strain on our infrastructure networks that were designed for fewer people and fewer environmental threats.

From 2010 to 2020, severe weather events cost the state up to $100 billion in damages. Despite these challenges, our lawmakers have been making strides to address our state’s shortcomings in recent years — including using innovative funding mechanisms and asset management strategies to keep roads, bridges, ports and other systems in good condition.

And now Florida will be getting some major federal support to help further improve its infrastructure to ensure it withstands future threats from climate impacts and population growth.

On Nov. 15, President Biden signed the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law, the largest-ever investment in the nation’s built environment. Of that $1.2 trillion, billions will be coming to Florida, with more than $13 billion allocated for roads and bridges alone. Floridians will also benefit from the bill’s historic $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization of the energy grid, which will reduce costs for Florida families. This also means fewer disruptions for businesses.

These investments couldn’t come a minute sooner. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 11.6% in Florida, and on average, each driver pays $425 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair. In Florida there are over 408 bridges and over 3,564 miles of highway in poor condition.

Water infrastructure is also imperative for residents and businesses and while our utilities have been expanding to meet growing needs, there’s still a long way to go. Population growth in urban areas is putting a strain on drinking water and wastewater, which both scored a C in Florida.

The federal infrastructure bill allocates $55 billion nationwide to modernize these systems and keep residents healthy, with $1.6 billion going to Florida over the next five years to improve water infrastructure across the state.

Broadband access is another key component of the bill, which promises to invest in expanding broadband so that every American has access to high-speed internet. The pandemic has shown us how important it is for all businesses, residents and students to have access to internet at all times and this bill will help close that digital divide.

Several Florida leaders played a major role in this bill’s passage; I am thankful for the yes vote from Rep. Val Demings, D-Orlando, to ensure our state received these crucial investments to make communities safer, more resilient, and more efficient. The passage of this bill will bring improvements to our state’s infrastructure in addition to many jobs that come with infrastructure projects.

We are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful states in the nation with a bright future ahead. The infrastructure bill will allow us to continue to grow efficiently for years to come, making Florida one of the best places to live in the country.