Cross department organization tasked with ensuring federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments help generate economic growth across Philadelphia 

PHILADELPHIA — The City of Philadelphia’s Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST) published its first ever annual report and action plan today to recap the work to date in securing federal investments, specifically from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The report explains the City’s strategy and goals for the largest long-term infrastructure investment in American history. 

In 2022, the City established the IST – led by the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS) – to spearhead a collaborative strategy with the goal of boosting internal capacity and coordinating with external partners to ensure all Philadelphians prosper from this once-in-a-generation funding. To date, the City has been awarded approximately $350 million in new grant funding from the BIL. 

“The work of the Infrastructure Solutions Team will contribute to many of the strategies and tactics in our 100-Day Action Plan,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “We have an unprecedented opportunity to prioritize environmental sustainability and resiliency with a direct focus on economic equity for underserved and under-resourced communities. We are focused on using this funding as a vehicle for growing jobs as well as the related businesses owned by minority, women, and disadvantaged residents.” 

The IST’s mission is to advance racial equity with the historic opportunity that BIL funding presents. The report’s three goals focus on ensuring fair and equitable use of the infrastructure funding: 

Goal 1: Secure $1B in federal BIL funding to build Philadelphia infrastructure.  

To date, the City has been awarded around $350 million in discretionary grant funding from the BIL. To date, non-City agencies in Philadelphia have been awarded nearly $685 million in discretionary funding. 

Goal 2: Ensure that infrastructure workers, from planning to construction, look more like the population of Philadelphia. 

To meet the workforce demands of projects funded by BIL, Philadelphia’s infrastructure sectors will need more skilled workers for vital roles. This represents a significant opportunity for Philadelphians, especially workers of color, to secure well-paying, family-sustaining jobs, including careers in industries represented by unions.  

Goal 3: Increase participation of historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) on City contracts.  

As federal infrastructure dollars from the BIL are invested in Philadelphia, the City aims to generate economic opportunity for historically underutilized businesses (HUBs). The IST’s approach will remove barriers to contracting for HUBs, utilizing procurement best practices, and tracking data on business participation and economic growth due to BIL investments.  

“In a few short years, we have seen tremendous results from the Infrastructure Solutions Team in winning many large-scale grants and implementing strategies that will ultimately transform Philadelphia,” said Michael Carroll, P.E., Deputy Managing Director, Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability, (OTIS). “There is still work to be done throughout the term of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and we believe the City is in a great position to compete, win, and prioritize these funding awards into infrastructure projects that can be seen, touched, and felt in neighborhoods across Philadelphia.”

In the first and second years of the BIL, the City has been awarded new grants and financing, including:  

  • $179.8 million allocated to the Department of Streets and OTIS for streets, sidewalks, intersections, and safety upgrades to transportation infrastructure. 
  • $92.5 million allocated to the Department of Aviation in formula funding for projects related to runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability, terminal improvements, airport-transit connections, and roadway enhancements. 
  • $54 million allocated to the Department of Aviation for terminal and restroom upgrades to PHL Airport. 
  • $700 million in the form of low-interest loans to Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) for upgrading water, sewer, and stormwater services. 
  • $97 million for essential water infrastructure, resilience initiatives, and clean energy projects. 

For more information on the Infrastructure Solutions Team, please visit the City’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law program page. This page serves as the home for all news and related projects for the City’s efforts in using BIL funding to fulfill Mayor Parker’s vision of a safer, cleaner, and greener Philadelphia, with economic opportunity for all. 

More examples of BIL funds at work in Philadelphia: 

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