Biden administration puts $830M to helping protect infrastructure from climate-fueled extreme weather

The Biden administration is putting $830 million toward helping protect bridges, roads, ports and other infrastructure from extreme weather disasters fueled by climate change. 

The $830 million in grants from the Transportation Department will support 80 projects in 37 states, Washington, D.C., and the Virgin Islands.

Most of the funding, $621 million, will go toward 36 projects aimed at bolstering the resilience of existing infrastructure through efforts such as improving draining, moving roadways, and lifting up bridges.

An additional $119 million will go toward protecting, strengthening, or removing at-risk coastal infrastructure such as highways.

The rest of the funding goes to improving evacuation routes or helping improve resilience plans.

“It’s not an exaggeration to say that extreme weather driven by climate change is one of the biggest threats to our infrastructure to quality of life and safety in our communities, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that extreme weather related to climate change is one of the biggest risks to our supply chains,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told reporters. 

He described the funding as part of the “first ever dedicated program” where the federal government was partnering with states and tribes to strengthen infrastructure.

The money comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.