Biden's infrastructure bill to become official on Monday. Here's what's in it for you

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11/12

Three rounds of stimulus checks may have come and gone, but a new $1.2 trillion package approved by Congress last week would fund public works projects that could touch every part of the country. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law on Monday, when the House and Senate go back in session.

The $1.2 trillion tied up in the new infrastructure bill go toward everything from charging stations to faster internet across the country.
The new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 is designed to tackle big-ticket items such as expanding high-speed internet and building better airports. (It doesn't include checks earmarked for you, but that could come in a different bill later this year -- see below for more details.)

This particular package has been in the works since June. It's completely different from the Build Back Better Act, which is a point of tense negotiation. That bill would include money for more child tax credit checks, housing, health care and child care credits -- what some call "human infrastructure."

For now, here's what the new infrastructure bill set to become official next week could mean for you. And here's the latest on a possible EV tax credit, the latest on the COVID-19 vaccine mandates and lifted travel restrictions to the US.


A big focus on the infrastructure bill -- and a good part of the funding -- will go to extending high-speed internet into rural areas and help low-income families pay their monthly broadband bill.


The budget: $65 billion

What the money is for: Along with building high-speed internet into areas that lack reliable access, the bill would require providers to offer an affordable plan for low-income families. The bill will set aside $14 billion to help low-income families pay for the cost of an internet connection, extending emergency broadband subsidies the government put in place during the pandemic.

New and repaired roads, highways and bridges
The single biggest spending item in the bill is earmarked for the nation's roads and bridges.

The budget: $110 billion

What the money is for: According to the White House, 173,000 miles of the country's highways and major roads as well as 45,000 bridges are in poor condition. The bill will set aside almost $40 billion just for bridge repair and replacement.

Electric vehicle investment, including a national network of charging stations
The bill will invest in electric vehicles, including buses and a chain of EV chargers along the nation's highways. (As part of the push for electric vehicles, Congress this year intends to offer EV tax credits.)

The budget: $15 billion

What the money is for: $7.5 billion will go to building out a national network of EV chargers along highways. Other money will go to EV buses -- including school buses -- and ferries.

The bill will fund a network of charging stations across the country. ChargePoint© Provided by CNET The bill will fund a network of charging stations across the country. ChargePoint
Safer, more modern airports
The bill sets aside money for airport maintenance and improvements.

The budget: $25 billion

What the money is for: To repair and upgrade runways and gates and modernize terminals and air traffic control towers.

Water safety
Another big-ticket item is money to pay for improvements to the nation's water system.

The budget: $55 billion

What the money is for: Among the areas the bill will address, it will fund lead-pipe replacement across the country and build out water infrastructure in tribal and low-income communities.

Upgrade power grid
The White House said power outages cost the US economy up to $70 billion annually.

The budget: $73 billion

What the money is for: Updating the nation's power grid by replacing older power lines and cables and investing in clean-energy research.

Expand public transit
The White House said 24,000 buses, 5,000 rail cars and 200 transit stations are in need of repair.

The budget: $39 billion

What the money is for: Improvements to the country's transit system, including bus and subway car repairs. The bill would also fund transit system improvements and extend transit to more riders.

For more, here's what we know about where the Biden administration stands on net neutrality, which parts of the country are lagging behind in high-speed access and more on how the new bill will address the digital divide.