State’s Capital Projects Budgets are Growing, Thanks to Federal Funding and Other Sources
ARTBA analyzed states’ FY 2023 budgets and found that, across the board, spending on highway, street, and bridge construction is up. States indicated that, in their FY 23, they have increased highway and bridge capital spending by 10 percent, growing from $108.4 billion to $121 billion and four out of five states expect to spend more on highway and bridge capital outlays in FY 2023, compared to the previous year.
When it comes to major infrastructure investments, all of us—taxpayers, Owners, construction and engineering firms, and the federal government—are trying to work more efficiently and do more with fewer people. As we all know, technology can play a critical role in facilitating the effective delivery of infrastructure projects by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders.
For example, drones are increasingly being used to conduct bridge inspections. With high-resolution cameras and other sensors, inspectors can capture detailed images and data from multiple angles, without the need for scaffolding, cranes, or other costly equipment. This approach can save time, reduce costs, and minimize risks to human inspectors who would otherwise need to work at height or in difficult-to-access locations. Building Information Modeling (BIM) can enable architects, engineers, and construction professionals to create and manage digital models of buildings and infrastructure, improving accuracy, reducing rework, and minimizing errors.
Cloud-based construction management tools, like our solutions, can allow teams to collaborate in real-time, track progress, and share information seamlessly. Overall, the use of technology can streamline project delivery, enhance communication and decision-making, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for infrastructure projects.
To dive into the details of how IIJA funding and increases from other sources are impacting states’ budgets, check out ARTBA’s, “Reviewing the Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” published in late March, 2023.
