Brady PieperThe federal government is providing nearly $5.4 billion in grants for major bridge projects throughout America.
The new grant opportunities, announced through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), will provide support for state and local municipalities to improve the nation’s aging bridge infrastructure. The DOT’s announcement also streamlines and cuts some existing regulatory requirements to advance repairs, renovations and replacements.
The funding announcement amends a previous notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) issued in January to address a nationwide backlog of bridge maintenance, renovation and replacement projects. DOT officials note an estimated 42,000 bridges are in poor condition or are in need of repairs throughout the country.
The larger of the two opportunities is the DOT’s $9.6 billion Bridge Investment Program, which supports large bridge projects that cost over $100 million. Administered by the DOT’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the competitive grant program is providing nearly $4.9 billion in funding to advance local, regional and state-led bridge projects and planning efforts.
The NOFO for the Bridge Investment Program will be open to eligible entities until August 1, including land management agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and local and tribal governments. FHWA will award selected applicants with grants on a rolling basis, ranging from $50 million to $3 billion.
DOT is also unveiling $500 million in available funding through the Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP). While similar to the Bridge Investment Program, CHBP is designed to support states with smaller population densities and significant needs for bridge revitalizations.
This round of CHBP funding will support the planning and construction of bridge projects on or along public roads. The projects must also incorporate cost savings through partnerships with other highway projects.
CHBP will award grants up to $75 million for selected applicants to initiate highway and bridge projects. Eligible entities, including state departments of transportation, may apply for CHBP funding until the deadline on Aug. 4.
Both the Bridge Investment Program and CHBP are funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. All applications will be reviewed by the FHWA prior to the award selection announcement, which is expected later this year.
Photo by Charles Parker from Pexels
