The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) President Biden signed into law in November 2021 delivers a once-in-a-generation $1.2 trillion investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. 

For maritime, the BIL invests more than $17 billion in port infrastructure and waterways with the primary aim of addressing needed repairs and maintenance backlogs, reducing congestion to strengthen our supply chains and remove bottlenecks to expedite commerce, cutting emissions near ports by boosting electrification and investing in other low-carbon technologies to reduce environmental impacts on neighboring communities. The information below describes how MARAD will use this historic law to create jobs and support U.S. maritime competitiveness through investing in modern, resilient and sustainable port and freight infrastructure. 

“The once-in-a-generation investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve people’s lives in every state in the nation by increasing access to safe, clean, reliable transportation.” – Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP)

BIL designates $450 million annually for the next five years for PIDP. And on top of that, the appropriations measure just passed by Congress—the first enacted under President Biden—provides an additional $234 million dollars for the PIDP program, bringing the total amount of funding available this year to more than $680 million.  This far exceeds any previous investment in the PIDP program.

This will allow significant improvements to port facilities on our coasts, rivers and Great Lakes. Projects can fall into one of four categories: 

• Loading and unloading of goods at a port
• Movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a port
• Resilience (such as projects addressing rising sea-level, flooding, extreme weather events, natural disasters)
• Environmental and emissions mitigation measures (such as projects to reduce or eliminate port-related pollutants or greenhouse gas emissions)

For more information related to PIDP grants, contact the program office at PIDPgrants@dot.gov. 

Marine Highway Program (MHP)

BIL designated $25 million in FY 2022 to the MHP, expanding the use of America’s navigable waters to expand marine highway service options and further integrate them into the U.S. transportation system. Shifting cargoes off crowded roads offers the added benefit of reducing road congestion and associated vehicle emissions.

More recently, DOT announced that as a result of additional money appropriated to the MHP in the FY 2022 appropriations measure, the total amount of funding available for the program increased to $39.8 million in FY 2022. 

For more information on the Marine Highway Program, contact the program office at mh@dot.gov. 

Addressing Climate Change

Several environmental benefits come from investing in U.S. maritime competitiveness, including improving the overall environmental sustainability of the U.S. transportation system through reduced emissions and resilient infrastructure. 

New Job Creation

The investment in new technologies and infrastructure opens many new job opportunities, from creating anti-idling technologies to developing port and terminal microgrids.

“These investments will support the shift to cleaner transportation, which will create more economic activity and good paying jobs,” – Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley

Resources

• The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 
• Presentation to Association of Pacific Ports 
• Biden-Harris Port Action Plan
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at DOT
• Port Infrastructure Development Grants
• Marine Highway Program
• White House Briefing

Latest News

• October 6, 2022 - Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $39 Million in Grants for America’s Marine Highways to Strengthen Supply Chains
• September 15, 2022 - Biden-Harris Administration Announces $1.5 Billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for 26 Transportation Projects Nationwide
• June 7, 2022 - MARAD Announces Four New Marine Highway Project Designations Projects will be eligible for historic funding to help address supply chain bottlenecks
• May 9, 2022 - President Biden Adds $234.3 Million to Bolster America’s Port Infrastructure
• April 25, 2022 - Marine Highway Program Gets $14.8 Million Boost, Application Deadline Extended
• April 19, 2022 - New Marine Highway Route, Two New Marine Highway Designations, and A Project Designation Extension Support Supply Chain Resiliency
• March 2, 2022 - DOT Announces New Funding for America’s Marine Highway Program to Strengthen Supply Chains
• February 23, 2022 - President Biden and U.S. Department of Transportation Announce Historic New Funding to Strengthen Port Infrastructure and Supply Chain Resiliency
• December 23, 2021 - U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Announces Over $241 Million in Grants for America’s Ports
• December 10, 2021 - U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Announces $12.6 Million in Grants for America’s Marine Highways 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan for building a better America with a $1.2 trillion investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. This Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will rebuild America’s roads, bridges and rails, upgrade and expand public transit, modernize the nation’s ports and airports, improve safety, tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and invest in communities that have too often been left behind. It will drive the creation of good-paying union jobs and grow the economy sustainably and equitably so that everyone gets ahead for decades to come. To learn more, visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/.