Forty billion dollars in federal infrastructure bridge protection funds are now available in all 50 states. The Bridge Investment Program was created as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) opened a call for applications this week. The grant program provides $12.5 billion over five years with $2.4 billion available this year. This funding is in addition to $27 billion in bridge funding announced earlier this year. The funding is to be used to replace, rehabilitate, protect, and preserve some of our nation’s largest bridges.

“We’re thrilled to begin accepting applications for one of the most significant investments in our bridges in decades, fixing everything from America’s most economically significant bridges to smaller bridges that mean everything to a local community. When these bridges are repaired, the American people will benefit from greater safety, lower shipping costs for consumers and maintenance costs for drivers, faster movement of goods across our supply chains, fuel savings, and precious time being returned to their day.” …U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

USDOT reports the Bridge Investment Program funding is unique in three key areas because it:

• Allows multi-year grant agreements to fund large projects by making it possible to take a project through pre-construction activities and into construction.
• Offers grants that help fund the planning process, including planning, feasibility analysis and revenue forecasting associated with the development of a project that would subsequently be eligible to apply for the Bridge Investment Program.
• Offers two types of construction grants, covering “large” projects over $100 million and “bridge projects” at up to $100 million.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity is available on FHWA’s Bridge Investment Program web page.