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Virginia, Maryland and D.C. are ramping up to prepare transportation projects linked to funding from the massive infrastructure bill passed last year by Congress.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently announced $2.9 billion for a trio of new, competitive grants that could go toward improvements for roads, bridges, tunnels and other projects.

Buttigieg and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) conducted an interview with WTOP Capitol Hill Correspondent Mitchell Miller to discuss the program, as well as what the overall $1 trillion infrastructure bill could mean for people who live and commute in the D.C. area.

“With these dollars we are going to be able to make, I believe, a very big difference,” Buttigieg said.

Spanberger said she’s encouraged by what the federal dollars could mean for the commonwealth, including the busy Interstate 95 corridor.

They spoke about a broad array of transportation issues.

Buttigieg also responded to questions about rising gas prices, problems with the supply chain and the Biden administration’s plans moving forward.