Sen. Cramer Announces $3.4 Billion from Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill for North Dakota Land Port

Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

GRAND FORKS – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, announced today the U.S. General Services Administration awarded funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to modernize the land port of entry in Dunseith, North Dakota. This will strengthen supply chains, create jobs, and enhance security and trade.

“The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act is bringing more than just traditional dollars for roads, highways, and bridges. This funding for our land port of entry in Dunseith is a boon for North Dakota and for the country to strengthen supply chains and enhance security and jobs,” said Senator Cramer.

This $3.4 billion in funding is estimated to support, on average, nearly 6,000 annual jobs over the next 8 years; add $3.23 billion in total labor income across the United States; contribute an additional $4.5 billion to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for state, local, and federal governments.

About the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a $1.2 trillion bill, which includes:

$413.5 billion for roads, highways, and bridges including $2 billion for North Dakota.

50% increase over the next five years in contract authority for the North Dakota Department of Transportation ($125 million more per year above current levels).
$225 million is set aside for North Dakota to improve and upgrade bridge infrastructure.

$66 billion for passenger and freight rail.

This investment is in addition to Senate Commerce Committee’s $78 billion Surface Transportation Investment Act which the committee passed earlier this year with strong bipartisan support.

$65 billion for broadband grants to states for the expansion of broadband infrastructure.
$47.2 billion for cybersecurity and flood and drought mitigation.
$18 billion for carbon capture technology and reliable, emission-free nuclear power.
$16 billion for ports and waterways.
$11 billion for highway safety programs and pipeline repair.
$2 billion grant program set aside for rural communities.
A new apprenticeship program to allow 18 year olds with Commercial Driver’s Licenses to drive across state lines, which will help address the severe shortage of truck drivers and requisite supply chain problems.

The bipartisan bill includes methods for paying for the increased spending without raising taxes on the American people, such as repurposing $210 billion in funds previously authorized for COVID-19 relief. Click here for a summary of the bill.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation, the North Dakota Chamber of Commerce, North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association, Associated General Contractors of North Dakota North Dakota-based National Sunflower Association, and North Dakota Concrete Council, all issued statements in support of the bipartisan infrastructure bill and Senator Cramer’s work on it. Click here to read their statements.