Joe Biden taps former New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu as infrastructure tsar

Mitch Landrieu will oversee the disbursement of $US1.2 trillion in funds on infrastructure projects across America.

Former New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu will co-­ordinate implementation of the US’ wide-ranging new infrastructure law. Picture: Getty Images

Joe Biden has ­appointed former New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu to co-­ordinate implementation of the country’s wide-ranging new infrastructure law and oversee the disbursement of its $US1.2 trillion in funds.

In his role as senior adviser, Mr Landrieu “will oversee the most significant and comprehensive investments in American infrastructure in gener­a­tions”, the White House said on Monday AEDT.

The package, passed by congress last week after months of wrangling, is aimed at creating millions of high-paying jobs, upgrading crumbling roads, bridges, waterways and ports, and strengthening supply chains. Mr Biden is scheduled to sign the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal into law on Tuesday.

Mr Landrieu, 61, took over as mayor of New Orleans in 2010 in the aftermath of deadly Hurricane Katrina as the recovery of the city had stalled.

Mr Biden has stressed that it will be weeks or months before the public begins to see the real ­effects of the bill, which also ­intends to expand US broadband access and the number of electric car-charging stations, along with a slew of other projects.

The President is counting on the program producing an impact – at least politically – before Americans vote in midterm elections next November.

AFP