There’s more federal infrastructure funding available for roads and bridges. Here’s what you need to know.
By Corey Stout, PE
Local and state governments have a chance to rebuild roads and bridges by tapping into recently released Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. A new, easier application process will award up to $5.575 billion in grants from three programs, with no local match!
Each program supports goals of strengthening supply chains, spurring economic development, and improving safety and daily life through improved transportation.
Which one is right for your local agency to pursue? Here is a look at the opportunities:
National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) program
The Mega program offers up to $1.8 billion for large projects like highways, bridges, freight, ports, passenger rail, and public transportation. Winning projects will create national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits. Mega will disperse up to 50% of its funding to $100 million to $500 million projects; the balance is available for projects of more than $500 million.
Rebuilding American (INFRA) program
INFRA offers up to $3.1 billion for multimodal freight and highway projects that improve safety, generate economic benefits, reduce congestion, enhance resiliency, or promise to reduce supply chain bottlenecks and improve critical freight movements.
Rural Surface Transportation Grant (Rural) program
The Rural program has $675 million available for rural highway, bridge, and tunnel projects that improve and expand surface transportation infrastructure. Applications should show how the project increases connectivity, improves the safety and reliability of the movement of people and freight, generates regional economic growth, improves quality of life, or increase access to agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities that support the rural economy. Ninety percent of these grants will be $25 million or more.
Applications must be submitted between 2 p.m. ET Aug. 14 and 11:59 p.m. ET, Aug. 21, 2023.
Not sure where to start? The U.S. Department of Transportation has information about the programs on its website. A consulting engineer who works on transportation and bridge projects can help local government agencies write a funding application for these programs.
For more information about transportation engineering, listen to Corey Stout on IMEG’s podcast.
