The Build America Bureau is U.S. DOT's “one-stop shop” for transportation infrastructure finance with low-interest, long-term loans. We also provide technical assistance and encourage innovative best practices in project planning, financing, delivery, and operation. If you are interested in using our financing tools or have any questions, contact us at BuildAmerica@dot.gov.

Morteza's Message

Great things are happening in transportation. On March 15, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, which fully implements investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The funding will enable us to rebuild America’s critical infrastructure including airports, roadways, public transit, rail, and ports and have far reaching positive impacts for communities across the United States. I was honored to participate in the White House Informational Webinar Series on BIL. To learn more about BIL, check out the Build.Gov guidebook. There are numerous aspects of the BIL that will enhance Bureau services. In fact, there are two new grant programs outlined in BIL that align with a critical part of our mission to provide technical services. The Bureau will manage a $10 million pilot program to provide technical services to Rural and Tribal communities and another $100 million program to support states considering innovative financing and delivery models including asset concessions. As we develop those programs, we are fortunate that we have a new partner with the Build America Center (BAC), which will support the Bureau as its educational arm in technical services support for DOT’s and more than 60,000 local and tribal governments.  The BAC, along with the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators, will help us better serve more diverse communities with a broader range of projects.  Speaking of reaching more communities, we must recognize our numerous partners that recently hosted in-person conferences and provided us the opportunity to not only speak but also meet with attendees through “office hours” and make initial contact for potential new projects to finance. The Bureau has worked with the National Governors’ Association, National League of Cities, American Public Transit Association, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and many others.   As we prepare to return to the office after two years, we look forward to collaborating with more project sponsors whether in person or virtually at conferences or through one on one meetings.  Please let us know how we can help bring your projects to fruition.

Table of Contents

• Featured Photo
• Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (RIA) Update
• The Bureau and FHWA Launch the Build America Center (BAC)
• Fiscal Year 2022 Loans Off to a Great Start! 
• Project Pipeline Update
• Spotlight on Customer Experience
• 54th Annual Employee Awards - Recognizing Dan Schned

Featured Photo

Secretary Pete Buttigieg stopped by the Bureau offices recently. Members of our team enjoyed meeting him and were excited to join him for a group photo. Left to right: Front row – Andrew Brunner, Anna Sumner, Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Lindsey Teel, and Duane Callender. Second row – Frank Krol, Dan Schned, Nefretiti Harrison, Will Resch, and Greg Van De Ven.

Secretary Pete also filmed a brief recruitment video with several of our Bureau team members working in the background!

Here is the video: https://twitter.com/SecretaryPete/status/1518632027553251330

Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (RIA) Update

Where will the next Accelerators be located? Applications were due April 11 and the Bureau team is reviewing the next round of submissions for $5 million in grant funding. Our program managers Carl Ringgold and Sam Beydoun taped training modules and hosted a virtual workshop to help prospective applicants. Check out the resources here.

Since the last newsletter, the five 2021 Accelerators signed cooperative agreements and rolled up their sleeves to begin work. The Bureau is working with the teams on their work plans and priorities.

“The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is excited to be part of the RIA program. The grant will help the region accelerate critical infrastructure improvements through public-private partnerships, whether it’s building bridges, making transportation more accessible, or creating a regional electric vehicle charging network,” stated Erin Aleman, Executive Director CMAP.

Stay tuned for the selection of the second round of Accelerators within the next few weeks. Plus, the recently passed appropriations bill provides another $12 million for the Accelerators Program, solidifying continued investment in the regional project development approach, and potentially another round of Accelerators in 2022. 

The Bureau and FHWA Launch the Build America Center (BAC)

Left to right: Darryll Pines with Brian Bezio and Qingbin Cui. Morteza Farajian and Morteza Farajian with panel.

Part of the Bureau’s mission is to support greater use of innovative financing to build infrastructure projects. To support that endeavor, the Bureau, in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), created a new Build America Center (BAC) through a cooperative agreement with the University of Maryland (UMD) that will advance innovative transportation financing and delivery across the country.

Officially launched April 11, the BAC offers educational programs, information, and resources in all areas of innovative project financing and delivery. UMD President Darryll Pines and US DOT Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Carlos Monje (via recording) provided opening remarks. Additionally, FHWA Chief Financial Officer Brian Bezio and Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajian provided comments.

The BAC’s predecessor, the Build America Transportation Investment Center (BATIC) Institute, was managed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The Bureau leadership and staff thank the team at the BATIC Institute for their tremendous contributions over the past eight years.  

Learn more at BAC.UMD.EDU and read the UMD article.

Fiscal Year 2022 Loans Off to a Great Start! 

The Bureau is always working with transportation agencies to identify projects that would benefit from a TIFIA or RRIF loan. Since its creation in 2016, the Bureau and its partners across DOT have worked to streamline the application process and expand its outreach efforts.  The borrowers below received TIFIA or RRIF loans since the previous newsletter. 

The Bureau Provided $1.05 Billion Financing for Capital Beltway Express Lanes Construction in Virginia

Commuters in Northern Virginia will be pleased to know that the 495 Next Project received a loan to support construction of the last 2.5 miles of express lanes up to the VA/Maryland line.  

The Bureau team worked with Capital Beltway Express, LLC to refinance an existing loan. The new $1.05 billion low-interest loan provides financing for the Capital Beltway express lanes and for construction of the northern extension called the 495 NEXT Project. 

The Bureau Team Worked with City of Bellevue to Refinance $99.6 Million of Credit Assistance for the BelRed Street Network

A new TIFIA loan will provide financing for the City of Bellevue’s BelRed Street Network―helping people connect to jobs and supporting Bellevue as a growing economic center.

The Bureau team, working with the City of Bellevue, Washington, refinanced the $99.6 million TIFIA loan, which will serve as a catalyst for the redevelopment of the BelRed neighborhood, and help to make it connected, multimodal, pedestrian-friendly, and transit-oriented. 

Bureau Loans $250.29 Million to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority for 183N Mobility Project

Austin Metro commuters will soon gain some better choices due to a $250.29 million, 35-year, low-interest loan to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA), thanks to the Bureau.

The 183N Mobility Project involves construction of two express lanes in each direction along US 183, extending from SH 45N/RM 620 to State Loop 1 (MoPac)―a distance of approximately nine miles―and adds a fourth general purpose lane in areas where one does not currently exist.  Capital Metro recently announced they have purchased almost 200 new electric buses for use in the corridor, the nation’s largest electric vehicle procurement to date. 

The Bureau Provided $26.9 Million in Financing for the LA 3241 Project in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

The Bureau is making innovative financing options available and helping to deliver important safety improvement projects more quickly and at lower cost to taxpayers with a direct TIFIA loan of $26.9 million under the Rural Projects Initiative (RPI).

The Bureau provided a direct TIFIA loan of up to $26.9 million under the Rural Projects Initiative (RPI) for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s (LADOTD) construction of LA 3241: LA 36 to LA 435 project in St. Tammany Parish. 

Bureau Closed Another RPI Loan for $19.92 million for the Vine Bus Maintenance Facility Project

The Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) community will soon enjoy the benefits of a new bus facility, helping modernize Napa Valley transit buses transitioning to electric―creating jobs, improving safety, and combating climate change.

The Bureau provided a direct TIFIA 35-year loan of up to $19.92 million to NVTA for the Vine Bus Maintenance Facility Project under its Rural Projects Initiative (RPI). NVTA will construct a 31,504-square foot transit maintenance facility with a 40-year useful life to replace its currently leased transit yard in Napa, California. NVTA will gain a facility that meets its needs, including charging infrastructure for NVTA’s new electric bus fleet.

Bureau Provided a $338.6 Million TIFIA Loan for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel – Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project

The Bureau provided a direct TIFIA loan of up to $338.6 million to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel District for construction of the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) crossing. This loan makes a portion of the financing available for a 5,700-foot tunnel connecting two southbound trestles of the existing CBBT―a 17.6-mile structure that links Norfolk/Virginia Beach areas to Virginia’s Eastern Shore. 

The Bureau Provided Second Largest Loan Ever of $1.76 Billion Loan for the Purple Line Light Rail Transit Project in Maryland 

Suburban Maryland and D.C. region residents and visitors alike will benefit from more direct and reliable transit service via the new Purple Line Light Rail Transit Project once complete.

The Purple Line Light Rail Transit Project in Maryland received a low-interest loan of up to $1.76 billion financing up to 33 percent of the $5.9 billion in eligible project costs. The Purple Line Project will cut an estimated 17,000 vehicle trips each day and by using electric power, the project will provide environmental benefits as well. 

Bureau Closed a $200 Million TIFIA Loan for the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge Replacement Project in Maryland

The Bureau team closed a TIFIA loan for $200 million with the Maryland Transportation Authority  for the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge Replacement Project. The Project will replace the existing bridge with a new, four–lane span to align with the existing US 301 roadway approaches in Maryland and Virginia.

Project Pipeline Update

Bureau program managers are working with project sponsors across the country to help them secure federal financing through the Bureau's programs. Before a project's loan is approved by the Secretary of Transportation, our team works with the sponsor to take it through three phases of the Bureau's project pipeline – Initial Engagement, Project Development, and Credit Worthiness. The Bureau assigns a lead person to support project sponsors and guide them through the process as well as serve as a liaison with modal administrations. Our team helps sponsors optimize the benefit of the loan for their needs and ultimate successful completion of their project. There are currently 53 active projects in the project development and credit worthiness phases.  

Maintaining a strong project pipeline is a top priority for the Bureau, and a key element of this is increasing pipeline diversity by bringing in new borrowers and reaching new and underserved areas into the Initial Engagement phase.

Spotlight on Customer Experience

Bureau Commits to Improve Customer Interactions and Service Delivery

The Bureau, designated as DOT’s High Impact Service Provider (HISP), is joining agencies across the Federal government to upgrade customer experiences (CX), using leading practices and human-centered service delivery. Agencies are designated as HISPs due to the scale and impact of their public-facing services. HISPs commit to upgrade CX, consistent with the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (P.L. 115-336) and President Biden’s executive order 14058, Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery To Rebuild Trust in Government. Designated entities undertake activities according to OMB Circular A-11 Section 280, including focused improvement efforts, customer feedback collection, and public reporting.

“I am delighted the Bureau is DOT’s HISP. We will conduct an assessment in 2022, develop a feedback instrument, and establish an action plan to enhance our customers’ experiences,” said Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajian. “It is perfect timing for us as we implement new programs to support diverse communities across the United States.”

Rosalyn G. Millman, the Bureau’s new senior advisor to the Executive Director who is leading this initiative, said, “Over the next two years, all Bureau staff will help build better tools to connect project sponsors and potential borrowers with Bureau resources and focus on customers’ perceptions as they seek federal loans and expertise on project development, delivery, and financing.”

Learn more at Building trust through improved service delivery and experience |Performance.gov or contact Rosalyn at rosalyn.millman@dot.gov.

54th Annual Employee Awards - Recognizing Dan Schned

During the Department’s 54th Annual Employee Awards Ceremony held virtually on March 31, Secretary Pete Buttigieg recognized employees and teams for going above and beyond. The Bureau’s own Dan Schned received a Meritorious Achievement Award for expanding and diversifying the Build America Bureau’s portfolio of projects, helping underserved communities, and reducing emissions. Additionally, the OST’s Presidential Transition Team, on which our own Duane Callender and Roger Bohnert served, received a Team Award. The team led the presidential transition and provided exceptional support and direction to ensure successful continuity of DOT’s critical mission and strategic priorities.

The Build America Bureau is open for business! If you are interested in exploring federal financing with the Build America Bureau, please contact us at BuildAmerica@dot.gov.

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