Bryant says federal infrastructure bill good for Maine

State Rep. Mark Bryant

AUGUSTA – State Rep. Mark Bryant, D-Windham, has released a statement on the federal, bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that was signed into law last month and says the funding will be of significant benefit to Mainers.

“This new federal legislation, coupled with historic investments the Maine Legislature passed this session, will finally allow us to bridge the gap between our state’s transportation needs and our funding capacity,” said Bryant. “Having served on the Legislature’s Transportation Committee for seven years, I have felt the frustration of this unmet need for too long. In a state as geographically big and rural as ours, the safety and smooth operation of our infrastructure is critical to every Mainer’s well-being.”

According to Bryant, in Maine the bipartisan bill will provide an estimated:

** $1.3 billion in highway and bridge program formula funding through Fiscal Year 2026, including $50 million in additional federal formula funding (representing a 25 percent increase) in the first year

** $225 million in dedicated bridge funding through Fiscal Year 2026

** $19 million across five years to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure

** $241 million over five years to improve public transportation options

** $74 million over five years to improve infrastructure at airports

** At least $100 million to expand high-speed broadband services across the state.

Bryant represents House District 24, part of Windham, and serves on the Maine House’s Transportation Committee and the State and Local Government Committee. <