$2.36 Billion in Grant Opportunities to Repair, Replace Aging Bridges Opens to Applicants
June 10, 2022
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created Bridge Investment Program
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, encouraged Washington state, counties, municipalities and tribes to apply for the $2.36 billion Bridge Investment Program grants made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“The announcement of nearly $2.4 billion for the new Bridge Investment Program represents a real opportunity for Washington state to make serious headway in addressing its bridge inventory backlog,” said Senator Cantwell. “With over 400 bridges classified as structurally deficient, and thousands more in need of critical maintenance, there is a significant need to repair or replace these bridges before they become unusable.”
The Department of Transportation opened the application process for $2.36 billion in funding for the grants, which will be awarded on a competitive basis for bridge projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges; and improve the condition of bridges in the United States.
Grants are available for bridge projects (projects with costs of $100 million or less) and large bridge projects (projects with eligible costs of $100 million or more). The large bridge projects are eligible for multiyear grants. An additional $20 million in funding is available for planning projects, and $40 million set aside for Tribal transportation facility bridges.
In April, Senator Cantwell visited the 105-year-old Interstate Bridge over the Columbia River, and cited the Bridge Investment Program as a possible source of funding for its replacement. The bridge – which serves as a vital interstate connector for people and commerce handling more than 130,000 crossings each day – is seismically unsound and would likely be substantially damaged beyond repair in a major earthquake.
According to the National Bridge Inventory, Washington state has identified 6,894 bridges in need of repair. Of these, 401 bridges are considered structurally deficient.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the program is HERE.
Planning Project Application Due: July 25, 2022, at 11:59 PM EDT
Large Bridge Project Application Due: August 9, 2022, at 11:59 PM EDT
Bridge Project Application Due: September 8, 2022, at 11:59 PM EDT.