The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has opened applications for approximately $10 billion in funding for fiscal years 2023-2026 through the competitive Bridge Investment Program's "Large Bridge Project" category, which funds projects that cost over $100 million. The Bridge Investment Program was established in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
“Bridges are more than steel and concrete—they connect communities, move vital goods, and make it easier to go about our daily lives,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These grants will help communities across the country modernize their bridges, and make it easier for everyone to move quickly, reliably, and safely to their destinations.”
There have been updates to the Large Bridge Program, including:
- Accepting applications for FY2023-FY2026, creating the opportunity for applicants to compete for funding for all four fiscal years with a single application.
- Updated merit criteria to provide more direction to applicants, as well as an updated “smart application” template that FHWA highly encourages applicants to use to assist applicants in filling out the application.
- A new Benefit Cost Analysis tool to assist applicants in completing required project analysis.
- An optional initial eligibility screening to provide applicants whose submission is determined to be incomplete or ineligible the opportunity to submit an amended application.
The Bridge Investment Program in Fiscal Year 2022 invested $2.4 billion into 37 bridge projects in 29 states across the country.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is rebuilding bridges across the country – restoring lifelines for communities and commerce,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “Through the Investing in America agenda, we are ensuring that we upgrade our bridge infrastructure – no matter whether it is owned by the largest state, or the smallest county – to meet today’s needs and challenges.”
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Source: USDOT
