Mayor Andre Dickens, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) Commissioner Josh Rowan briefed the public on how federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will benefit the city of Atlanta.

During remarks and a tour of the ATLDOT North Avenue operations facility, Mayor Dickens, Congresswoman Williams and Commissioner Rowan discussed the potential infrastructure upgrades made possible through the next five years of funding, including:

• $1.711 billion to improve roads and bridges across the state
• $92.5 million for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• $158.6 million to strengthen water infrastructure and replace lead pipes

 “Rebuilding and repairing our bridges, roads, water systems and other critical infrastructure is long overdue for our city and state—all of which will create good paying jobs for our community,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “Thank you to Congresswoman Williams for her leadership, advocacy and foresight in co-sponsoring legislation that will bring much-needed investment in Atlanta.”

The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Georgia a “C” grade on its Infrastructure Report Card, finding many deficiencies that require immediate attention. With this funding—and more to come—the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create good-paying union jobs strengthening crippled infrastructure, said Congresswoman Williams.

“As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee I know that the infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make transformational, decades-overdue investments in Atlanta’s infrastructure,” she said. “I made a promise to the people of the Fifth Congressional District that I will secure vital resources and I am keeping that promise with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The investments we will receive will repair crumbling bridges, keep Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the world’s busiest and best run airport, use infrastructure as a tool for racial justice, and so much more, all while creating thousands of good-paying union jobs. I am proud to join Mayor Dickens and Commissioner Rowan to get these investments working for the people.”

Aging infrastructure presents a major challenge for Atlanta and many other major American cities, said ATLDOT Commissioner Rowan. The IIJA funding will ensure that public infrastructure facilities will be operated and maintained effectively for the benefit of Atlanta’s residents and visitors. 

“As a team that excels at infrastructure project delivery, ATLDOT is excited to receive federal support,” said Commissioner Rowan.  “This support not only addresses immediate needs, but it enables us to refocus local funding to make additional improvements in other areas.”