Phoenix reports nearly $750 million in federal infrastructure awards; city highlights bridge, transit, airport and water projects

Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua told the Phoenix City Council at a work-study session that the city has been awarded nearly $750,000,000 in federal funds across 30 grants under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Why it matters: The grants fund a mix of transportation, water, airport, transit, broadband and resiliency projects that city staff say will reduce costs to local taxpayers, improve safety and support planned growth. Staff and council members also warned the awards face uncertainty from federal executive actions and ongoing legal activity.

City staff framed the awards as the result of a multi‑year, cross‑department effort. "With declining revenues and strain on the city budget, we have an obligation to our taxpayers to ensure we're getting our fair share of the federal dollars," Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua said. He credited city department directors, grant liaisons, the city government relations team led by Frank McCune and federal consultant Holland & Knight for helping secure the awards.

Infrastructure Implementation Manager Larry Smallwood walked the council through major project highlights and dollar amounts the city has announced so far. Among the named awards:

- Third Street Rio Salado bike and pedestrian bridge and pathway: $25,000,000 discretionary award. The project will link South Central and midtown Phoenix, connect to the planned South Central light-rail extension, and add an amphitheater entry and trail access. Staff said more than 200…