A number of federal transportation programs are currently or will soon be accepting applications for competitive grant funding for local governments and organizations, including public transit agencies. Below is a summary of those programs, with links for more information and deadlines for when applications are due.
Safe Streets and Roads for All Grants:
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has opened the process for cities, towns, counties, Tribal governments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) to apply directly for a total of $1.177 billion to fund local projects that improve roadway safety. The funds are from the competitive grant program, Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), which was created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities both plan and carry out projects that help reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on highways, streets, and roads. Funding can be targeted toward known high-crash areas, which are easier than ever to identify thanks to an interactive tool created by DOT. Locally driven solutions can include everything from improving sidewalks and adding high-visibility crosswalks, to reconfiguring intersections.
The Safe Streets and Roads for All Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A. Applications are due on or before Monday, July 10, 2023 at 5pm Eastern.
Surface Transportation - Resilience to Climate Change Grants
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently announced the availability of $848 million in competitive grant funding for local governments and organizations, including transit agencies, to undertake projects to address the climate crisis. Fiscal Year 2022-23 funding is now available through the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program. The competitive grant support projects that improve the resilience of surface transportation systems, including highways, public transportation, pedestrian facilities, ports, and intercity passenger rail. States, MPOs, local governments, transit agencies, and Tribes can apply. FHWA encourages applicants to use the application checklist when preparing their application.
Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov by Friday, August 18, 2023.
Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity
Three programs, the National Infrastructure Project Assistance Grant (MEGA), the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects Grants (INFRA) and the Rural Surface Transportation Grant (RURAL) are awarded on a competitive basis for surface transportation infrastructure projects – including highway and bridge, intercity passenger rail, railway-highway grade crossing or separation, wildlife crossing, public transportation, marine highway, and freight projects, or groups of such projects – with significant national or regional impact, or to improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas. (Opens Spring 2023)
Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (RCP)
The RCP is the first-ever Federal program dedicated to reconnecting communities that were previously cut off from economic opportunities by transportation infrastructure. Funding supports planning grants and capital construction grants, as well as technical assistance, to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation, or replacement of eligible transportation infrastructure facilities. (Opens Late Spring 2023)