Infrastructure Bill Contains $100M for Construction Technology
Date Posted: August 17, 2021
Posted In: Discussion, News,
From ConstructionDive: The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by the Senate Tuesday includes $100 million over five years to accelerate the deployment of digital construction technologies such as 3D modelling software and digital project management platforms.
The Coalition for Smarter Infrastructure Investments, a collection of digital infrastructure companies that includes Bentley Systems and Mott McDonald, lobbied for the inclusion of the funding in the bill to move beyond the pen-and-paper processes that still dominate the construction industry.
“With increased funding, it’s more important than ever to modernize how we design, build and manage infrastructure so that each dollar we invest goes further,” said Si Katara, co-founder of the coalition and president of visual-based inspection technology firm HeadLight, in a statement.
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Katara said the bill provides massive opportunities to firms in a “rising tides raise all boats” scenario. Katara called the bill “a once in a generation opportunity to do something transformative.”
The bill includes billions of dollars in funding for bridges, roads and other aging infrastructure, along with an annual $20 million dollar investment fund for innovation in construction management. It passed the Senate by a 69-30 vote, clearing its way to be debated in the House.
Construction management technologies aren’t the only high-tech advancements Congress is considering in the bill. Broader use technologies, such as electric vehicles and broadband internet, are also on tap for significant federal funding, with the two combining to receive $72.5 billion, according to CNBC..