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The Biden administration is taking significant steps to safeguard infrastructure against the escalating threats posed by climate-induced extreme weather events. Allocating a substantial sum of $830 million, the Transportation Department is spearheading efforts across 37 states, Washington, D.C., and the Virgin Islands. These funds will underpin 80 projects aimed at bolstering the resilience of existing infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, ports, and coastal highways.

Most notably, $621 million will be directed towards 36 projects focused on enhancing infrastructure resilience through initiatives like improving drainage systems, relocating roadways, and elevating bridges. An additional $119 million will target the protection, reinforcement, or removal of at-risk coastal infrastructure.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the urgency of these measures, stating that extreme weather driven by climate change poses one of the greatest threats to infrastructure, quality of life, and safety in communities, as well as risks to supply chains.

“Biden administration grants $830 million for climate change infrastructure impact.” YouTube. Uploaded by CBS News, 11 April 2024.

This initiative aligns with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Buttigieg hailed as creating a historic opportunity for communities to reimagine and deliver safe, reliable transportation. Additionally, the department’s efforts are fueled by funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which earmarked billions for advancing supply chain programs and bolstering emergency response capabilities.

Part of this endeavor includes the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) grants, which awarded $830 million to support resilience projects nationwide. These projects aim to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, ensuring transportation infrastructure remains operational and communities stay connected.

One such example is the response at the Port of Baltimore, which faced significant disruptions following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Efforts to mitigate supply chain disruptions and restore traffic and connectivity have been underway, with federal assistance pledged to aid in the bridge’s reconstruction and the port’s recovery.

In the aftermath of the bridge collapse, Maryland officials have called for emergency aid to cover the costs of rebuilding operations, highlighting the bipartisan support for initiatives like the Baltimore BRIDGE Relief Act. As investigations into the incident continue, efforts to address vulnerabilities in infrastructure and enhance resilience remain at the forefront of the Biden administration’s agenda.