Published June 14, 2025
How the Infrastructure Law Is Changing Bridge Repair
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed in November 2021, represents the largest dedicated federal investment in bridge infrastructure in American history. With $40 billion earmarked for bridge repair and replacement over five years, the law is reshaping how states prioritize, fund, and execute bridge projects. Here is where the money is going and what has changed so far.
Two Major Bridge Programs
The IIJA created two distinct funding mechanisms for bridges:
- Bridge Formula Program ($27.5 billion) — Formula-based funding distributed to every state. States with more structurally deficient bridges and higher replacement costs receive more. At least 15% of each state's allocation must go to off-system bridges (locally owned bridges not on the federal-aid highway system).
- Bridge Investment Program ($12.5 billion) — Competitive grants for large, economically significant bridges. This program targets major crossings whose repair or replacement exceeds what formula funding can cover. The FHWA administers the program with applications evaluated on condition, economic impact, and project readiness.
State-by-State Allocations
The Bridge Formula Program directs the most funding to states with the largest bridge repair needs. The top five recipients based on formula allocations are:
| State | 5-Year Allocation | Deficient Bridges | Per Deficient Bridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $1.6B | 3,353 | $477K |
| Illinois | $1.4B | 2,374 | $590K |
| New York | $1.1B | 1,702 | $646K |
| California | $1.0B | 1,536 | $651K |
| West Virginia | $506M | 1,386 | $365K |
The Rural Bridge Set-Aside
One of the most important provisions requires states to spend at least 15% of Bridge Formula funds on off-system bridges — the small rural bridges owned by counties and townships that have historically been underfunded. These structures make up a disproportionate share of structurally deficient bridges because local governments lack the resources for major repairs.
For states like Iowa, where county-owned bridges represent the majority of the deficient inventory, this provision directs hundreds of millions to bridges that might otherwise wait decades for attention.
What Has Improved So Far
By 2025, the effects of IIJA bridge funding are becoming visible in the NBI data:
- Several hundred bridges have been rehabilitated or replaced using IIJA funds in the first two years of the program
- States have accelerated project timelines by bundling smaller bridge replacements into single contracts
- The number of structurally deficient bridges has begun declining after years of stagnation
- Off-system bridge conditions are improving in states that have actively deployed the rural set-aside
The Remaining Gap
Despite the historic investment, $40 billion covers roughly one-third of the estimated $125 billion bridge repair backlog. The ASCE Infrastructure Report Card notes that sustained federal, state, and local investment will be needed for decades to fully address deferred bridge maintenance. See our state-by-state condition rankings to understand the full scope of remaining need.
The law also does not address the ongoing challenge of maintaining bridges after they are repaired. New and rehabilitated bridges still require regular maintenance spending to avoid returning to poor condition in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 allocated approximately $40 billion specifically for bridge repair and replacement over five years, including $27.5 billion through the Bridge Formula Program and $12.5 billion through the Bridge Investment Program.
States with the most structurally deficient bridges receive proportionally more Bridge Formula Program funds. Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, California, and West Virginia are among the top recipients due to their large bridge inventories and high deficiency rates.
No. The total bridge repair backlog is estimated at $125 billion. The IIJA covers roughly one-third of the need. State and local governments must fund the remaining gap from their own revenue sources.
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