Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh
Louisiana will receive $7.25 billion in guaranteed funding from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that was signed by the president last month. Secretary of Labor Martin Walsh said the funding allocated for states is unprecedented.
“We haven’t seen quite honestly in this country, other than local governments or state governments, making investments in infrastructure to this magnitude in decades,” said Walsh.
$5.8 billion will go towards roads and bridges in Louisiana and $470 million for public transportation. $580 million will be dedicated to renovating outdated water systems.
$380 million will go towards airports, electric vehicle charging stations, and broadband in Louisiana. Like other states, the pandemic only highlighted the digital divide in rural areas. Walsh said it’s important we help close that gap.
“For rural parts of our country it could be literally a game-changer by creating jobs and creating opportunities, but most importantly for people that live in those communities give them access to information,” said Walsh.
Former Louisiana Lt. Governor and New Orleans Mayor, Mitch Landrieu is overseeing the allocation of Infrastructure funds for the country and Walsh said Landrieu wants those funds to reach states as soon as possible.
“Mitch kind of set the tone of urgency and quickness of getting these investments across America, and that’s good to have,” said Walsh.
Walsh said their goal is to have funds reach projects as soon as possible so citizens can see dollars at work.
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