A historic, $1.2 trillion infrastructure package that folds in a reauthorization of the highway bill for the next five years — including a load of new provisions that affect trucking — is finally headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for signing.

After months of political gamesmanship between the progressive wing of the Democratic party in The House of Representatives and conservative Democrats in the Senate – both trying to use leverage to affect passage of the related budget reconciliation bill – the Democrat-controlled House chamber passed the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) late Friday by a party-line vote.

The IIJA, which was approved by the Senate in August, now awaits signing into law by President Joe Biden.

The House also postponed a rule that would have provided a path for a floor vote on the $1.75 trillion reconciliation bill, known as President Biden’s “soft” infrastructure package, which funds social justice and climate goal initiatives. Democrats are hoping to approve that bill prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

In addition to $273 billion over five years in recurring federal program funding allocated to roads and bridges, the landmark IIJA — the biggest single infrastructure bill in decades — sets aside an additional $550 billion in new spending, including $110 billion for roads, bridges and major infrastructure projects.

The bill “represents a historic opportunity to provide substantial economic and quality of life enhancements to communities across the country and to build for the future,” stated a group of 110 organizations, including the American Trucking Associations, the Association of American Railroads and the Transportation Intermediaries Association, in a letter to sent to House lawmakers last month.



“The investments made in the package facilitate long overdue repairs and improvements to our roads, bridges, rail, and public transportation, and other critical infrastructure, such as airports, ports, broadband, energy, and water systems.”

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New spending in the bill — outside regular federal program funding — includes $17.4 billion for waterway and coastal infrastructure, inland waterway improvements, port infrastructure, and land ports of entry through the Army Corps of Engineers, DOT, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.



An additional $66 billion goes to freight and passenger rail, including dedicated funding for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. Airports will receive $25 billion that will increase funds to improve runways, gates and taxiways, and multimodal connections.

Long-term project money

The bill codifies a Trump-era executive order that set a two-year goal for completing the environmental review and permitting process for major projects. That faster timeline will allow states to better plan for both maintaining roads and conducting major infrastructure projects.

“The money [set aside in the legislation] is going to flow immediately and with more certainty, and will give states the ability to do a three-year project,” said American Truckin

"Trucking companies say the Port of Long Beach pilot program aimed at easing ship congestion carries burdensome requirements.

A pilot program offering 24-hour container operations at the Port of Long Beach hasn’t attracted any truckers more than two weeks since the extended hours began, highlighting challenges facing Southern California seaports as dozens of ships back up off the coast.

Total Terminals International LLC, among the largest terminals at Long Beach, began Sept. 13 to allow truckers to pick up containers between 3 and 7 a.m. Monday to Thursday."