Tester Secures $225 Million for Montana Bridges Through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Montana to receive $45 million in 2022 to repair and replace aging bridges as part of $225 million over five years

As a part of his recently signed bipartisan infrastructure law, Senator Jon Tester today announced that he secured $225 million in Department of Transportation (DOT) funding to repair and replace Montana’s aging bridges.

“Safe bridges are essential to travel for families and businesses, and Montana’s aging bridges are long overdue for repairs and replacements,” said Tester. “This funding will ensure that folks can safely travel across the state, and businesses can transport goods efficiently well into the future. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues in the Senate on both sides of the aisle to secure these essential resources for the Montana Department of Transportation, and look forward to making sure the money is spent fairly and efficiently.”

Montana will receive $225 million in Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) funding for bridge repairs and replacements over five years, including $45 million in 2022. Funding will be distributed to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) through the DOT’s FHWA as a result of Tester’s bipartisan infrastructure law, making this the largest ever single year investment in Montana’s bridges.

Montana oversees 4,471 public bridges with an average age of 44 years. Based on 2018 MDT data for National Highway Systems bridges, 7.3% of Montana bridges are rated as poor/structurally deficient, meaning there are significant deteriorations to major components of the bridges. A total of 43% of Montana’s bridges are at least 50 years old, an age when many bridges require significant rehabilitation of replacement.

Tester worked across the aisle for months to negotiate his bipartisan package with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House, and he was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for it. Tester’s law is projected to create more than 800,000 American jobs and lower costs for businesses by making targeted investments that will strengthen our nation without raising taxes on working families.

Tester secured significant wins for Montana in the legislation, including $2.82 billion for Montana’s roads, highways and bridges; $2.5 billion to complete all authorized Indian water rights settlements; $1 billion to complete all authorized rural water projects through the Bureau of Reclamation; $65 billion to deploy broadband to areas across the country that lack internet access and additionally make online connectivity affordable; and $3.37 billion to reduce wildfire risk nationwide, among others. Tester also worked to ensure that all iron, steel, and construction materials used for these projects must be made in America.

A full list of Montana provisions in Tester’s bipartisan infrastructure law can be found HERE.