Major infrastructure projects in Phoenix are in limbo after President Trump ordered federal agencies to stop disbursing funds. Trump is targeting two laws approved under the Biden administration to support infrastructure and fight climate change.
When Congress approved the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, they included more than $500 billion new spending over five years. So far, Phoenix has received nearly $750 million for 30 grant applications.
Some of the money is going toward a new taxiway at Sky Harbor Airport and the city's first and only dedicated bicycle and pedestrian bridge across the Salt River.
During Tuesday’s work study session, Larry Smallwood, the city’s federal infrastructure implementation manager showed council members the bridge’s design concept.
“A few of the benefits of this project include creating a link between South Central and Midtown Phoenix, improving transit integration and accessibility by connecting to the future South Central light rail extension, enhancing access to jobs, schools, and essential services which support community development, and offering convenient connection to the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area trails and Audubon Center,” he said.
In addition to hearing about projects that have received funding, the council also heard about nearly $400 million in grant applications that are uncertain, according to Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua.
“There are questions about the impact of many of these grants from recent orders and communications from the new federal administration,” he said. “The bottom line answer to most of these questions is that we still do not have any clear certainty as we move forward.”
That includes Phoenix’s application for a $300 million grant to support an advanced water purification plant that would recycle wastewater into drinking water.
Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien, who represents northwest Phoenix, said, “We all in the North Valley are on the Colorado River water and we, in Arizona, we’re last on the list for who gets Colorado River water, so these kinds of federal projects are imperative to that infrastructure that we need up there to make sure everybody can have water.”
“This is also an investment that would help emerging industries, including semiconductor manufacturing that are important to our national competitiveness and our national security,” said Mayor Kate Gallego. “So, a great project that came out of the Inflation Reduction Act, a project that had wide political support, and one I hope we will still get to the finish line because we have to address drought and challenges with our water supply.”
“Clean water isn't a left or right issue, it’s life-saving,” said Councilman Carlos Galindo-Elvira. “Access to public transit shouldn't be a right or left issue, it’s life-changing. And resiliency isn’t a left or right issue, it's life-enhancing.”
Other grant applications that have not been awarded cover recycling programs, solar projects, a taxiway at Deer Valley Airport, a new road around the Mayo Clinic and smart irrigation controllers at city parks.
“These are essential to the future of the City of Phoenix, and they should move forward without political strings,” Gallego said.
