US Department of Transportation New Competitive Bridge Investment Program 2022
US DOT – Applications are now open for the US Department of Transportation New Competitive Bridge Investment Program 2022. The Bridge Investment Program (BIP) is a competitive, discretionary program that focuses on existing bridges to reduce the overall number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition. It also expands applicant eligibilities to create opportunity for all levels of government to be direct recipients of program funds. Alongside states and federal lands management agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and local and tribal governments can also apply directly to FHWA, making it easier to advance projects at the local level that meet community needs.
The Bridge Investment Program provides an additional $12.5 billion in funding to the more than $27 billion provided to states by the Bridge Formula Program announced earlier this year. Together this $40 billion investment provided by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law gives the Department the ability to fund numerous bridge improvement projects in communities across all 50 states.
The funds will make a significant contribution to improving the condition of our nation’s aging bridges, both large, signature bridge projects that are important for our national economy as well as smaller structures that provide benefits at the regional and local levels and are critical for communities across the country, Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack said. FHWA has designed this program to meet the needs of communities and bridges of all sizes, including those that are still in the planning stage.
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.
Eligible applicants – US Department of Transportation New Competitive Bridge Investment Program 2022
- A State or a group of States.
- A metropolitan planning organization that serves an urbanized area with a population of over 200,000.
- A unit of local government or a group of local governments.
- A political subdivision of a State or local government.
- A special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function.
- A Federal land management agency.
- A Tribal government or a consortium of Tribal governments.
- A multistate or multijurisdictional group of entities described above.
How much funding is available for the BIP in Fiscal Year (FY) 22
For FY22, approximately $2.36 billion in funding is available to be awarded. Of that, $20 million is reserved for funding Planning grants. The remaining balance will fund Large Bridge Project and Bridge Project grants.
Deadline:
The deadlines for submitting grant applications depends on the type of grant subject to the application. The deadlines are as follows:
- Planning Grants
- Submit Planning grant applications by July 25, 2022 at 11:59 PM EDT.
- Large Bridge Project Grants
- Submit Large Bridge Project grant applications by August 9, 2022 at 11:59 PM EDT.
- Bridge Project Grants
- Submit Bridge Project grant applications by September 8, 2022 at 11:59 PM EDT.
