Some people might wake up every day thinking of how long it will take them to get to work. Andy Biesterveld wakes up thinking about 3,100 transit stops (equaling more than 560 square miles) serving Central Ohio, and the ways in which moving people are addressing sustainability and environmental benchmarks.

Federal monies created through the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) are giving a huge boost in this vein.

Biesterveld is Chief Engineering and Mechanical Officer of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA). COTA recently received from the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) a $26.7 million “low and no-emission” grant for 28 electric buses in an area that encompasses the Greater Columbus/Central Ohio region, with over 1.2 million residents taking more than 19 million trips annually.

He talks about the win in this new “ATM Podcast.”

Two electric coaches — which can run 140 miles on one charge — are already operating because of that grant. Eight more will soon be coming to Central Ohio, with more added in 2023 and 2024.

In 2021, COTA’s fleet changes included adding 18 eco-friendly hybrids or compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles; 27 fewer traditional fuel buses; adding electric buses and three more COTA/PLUS vehicles. (COTA bus customers can request microtransit service through a mobile phone app or call COTA Customer Service to book trips.)

Ultimately, Biesterveld notes that engineers, new technology, training technicians toward optimal safety, and building electric-vehicle infrastructure are crucial now. (Public transit took a hit because of COVID; however, improved and cleaner fleets can also serve changing and less sprawling communities.)

“If you think about a traditional diesel coach, if you’re sitting probably anywhere in the back half of the vehicle, you’re kind of overwhelmed by engine noise. In the electric coach, there is no engine noise,” says Biesterveld. “You definitely know that you’re not [in] a traditional fossil fuel powered vehicle.”

Whenever a narrative begins with the words federal money flowing, the obvious questions are to whom and why.

In this case, the why is critically important. Months after the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was passed by Congress, states and counties are receiving groundbreaking funding for infrastructure projects to support the United States’ economy, future and mobility. This means transit, airports, roads, bridges and next-generation energy solutions and resiliency initiatives to deal with weather impacts, says National, Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) President & CEO Michael Johnson in a new ATM Podcast.

With both a broad and niche understanding of all that is aggregates, Johnson is a keen observer of the state of the nation’s infrastructure, and following how IIJA is making an impact, especially given today’s global influences.

He has a worldview on why infrastructure projects are critical to the nation: “When you think about the fact that the Chinese are investing $2.3 trillion in 2022 alone and this is in addition to their ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ — where they’re using infrastructure investment in developing countries to bring countries under their sphere of influence … it’s crucial that we at least spend the $1.2 trillion that we’re doing to keep pace and make sure our infrastructure is ready for the next set of, not just local, state and national, but international challenges.”

Johnson points to a few nuances that are important in the national conversation regarding all the physical fixes America needs: Money is flowing from federal coffers to state departments of transportation (DOTs) and the administration set up discretionary grant programs and those awards are coming into the timeline; however, on the formula side, the money has not yet made it into the project funding stream.

Johnson also noted that in the current economic environment (inflationary pressures, talk of a recession and market uncertainties), at least DOTs now have more certainty. “They know what’s coming to them for the next five years from the federal government, and it allows them to begin these historic projects here to make such a difference in our economic circulatory system and the quality of life for our residents,” he says.

NSSGA is a member of ATM.

Missouri has an aging highway network, overburdened bridges, strained ports and waterways, climate impacts, and supply chain and transit challenges. But federal infrastructure investment is helping the “Show Me State” embrace a strong future.

Recently, the Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM) Coalition interviewed American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2023 President-Elect Marsia “Marsie” Geldert-Murphey (also a Missouri resident) to discuss Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) money flowing to Missouri.

The list encompasses $278 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to repair flood damage along the Missouri River and several lakes, and $48 million to support public transportation. $26.3 million has also been provided for the Fort Leonard Wood Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport, the Chester Bridge over the Mississippi River in Perry County, and the I-70\U.S. 63 Interchange in Boone County.

Geldert-Murphey shapes the big picture of what America is facing by talking about individual projects, and provides insight that supports a macro perspective.

The work of civil engineers, which includes environmental mitigation, fostering economic growth and ensuring resiliency, centers on benefitting society but also advancing technologies. Unlike decades ago, spatial orientation is an industry focus, and 3D drawings can be incorporated into the capabilities of construction gear and equipment.

Changes for MissouriAirport expansion increases business opportunities; replacing the Chester Bridge will grow the agricultural industry; and interchange projects improve functionality for the traveling public. But in Missouri, addressing climate and storm impacts are also taking center stage.Geldert-Murphey says Missouri has been hit hard by several consecutive years of extremely high flows in the rivers and damage to structures has been significant. Making repairs along the stretch of the river, from Nebraska to St. Louis, is critically important.

“When you’re talking about the Missouri River, and the Mississippi River, and the flow of goods and supply chain that we’ve been suffering from even recently, all of this commercial navigation that we support through/in this system also provides indirect benefits to all the other industrial, agricultural and economic interests not only within Missouri but outside of Missouri.”

Pointing to federal funding for transit, Geldert-Murphey says it’s crucial to look at public transportation’s benefits and impacts. This entails health equity and reducing traffic accidents and pollution, and connecting people to jobs, food and family, along with access for the elderly. But underfunding, she adds, has led to labor shortages in the transit arena.She says transit spending per capita in Missouri was low, but is increasing. She explains that to transport 156,000 daily riders in Missouri (requiring 2,000 vehicles to be operated by 4,500 workers) the indirect and direct impact of transit in Missouri is $3.6 billion. That’s a seven to one return-on-investment (ROI) for transit spending.

Whether it’s prioritizing transit or better ports or modern bridges, Geldert-Murphey is looking for infrastructure to spur real change.“You know, we’ve been in a react mode when it comes to transportation for a very, very long time. What this bill is going to allow us to do is not only meet the needs that have been overlooked for so very long — not only in Missouri — but throughout the country,” she emphasizes.

ASCE is a member of ATM.