Montana
The BIL's $3.8 billion investment in Montana will go a long way to improving various aspects of the state's infrastructure.
Montana, located in the western region of the United States, has a population of approximately 1.1 million people. Its infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and airports, is essential to the state's economic growth and quality of life for its residents. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Montana a C on its infrastructure report card.
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) oversees the state's transportation system. The state's road network consists of over 25,000 miles of highways and over 4,600 bridges. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2021 Report Card for Montana's Infrastructure, 26% of Montana's roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and 17% of bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Montana's rural roads have a fatality rate that is twice the national average.
Montana's airports also play a critical role in the state's transportation system. The state has over 140 public-use airports, and the state's largest airport, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, serves over 1.5 million passengers annually. In 2019, the state received over $36 million in federal funding for airport infrastructure projects.
In addition to transportation infrastructure, Montana's water infrastructure is also essential to the state's economy and public health. Montana's drinking water systems serve over 850,000 people, and over 80% of the state's population is served by public wastewater treatment facilities. The state's dams and levees, which provide flood control and hydroelectric power, have an estimated replacement value of $1.7 billion.
Overall, Montana's infrastructure faces significant challenges, particularly in the area of road and bridge maintenance. However, the state has made strides in recent years to address these issues through increased funding and investment in transportation infrastructure.