- USDOT launched the Climate Strategies that Work Playbook. The playbook outlines a menu of options for climate champions and local leaders to make data-backed choices that are right for their communities. The Playbook is a new comprehensive resource developed to guide cities, regions, industry leaders, philanthropic strategists, and transportation professionals at every level in implementing the most effective strategies for reducing transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions. The playbook provides actionable information for 27 transportation-related emission reduction strategies through well-vetted guides detailing benefits, implementation steps, and resources. Informed by the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, the playbook emphasizes convenient, efficient, and clean transportation solutions, while also considering equity, safety, and economic growth, ultimately helping communities grow stronger, safer, smarter, and more sustainable.
- The Every Day Counts (EDC) Round 7 Progress Report is now available from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This report describes the seven technologies and practices FHWA is promoting in EDC-7 and summarizes the deployment status of each innovation as of April 2024 and each innovation’s goal for adoption by 2025. Has your state institutionalized next generation Traffic Incident Management (TIM) or used internally cured concrete? Is it leading the way with strategic workforce development or EDPs for sustainable project delivery? Read the report to find out which states are implementing EDC-7 innovations and stay tuned to EDC News for updates and success stories. (Subscribe here.)
- FHWA’s new FHWA-NHI-142075: Environmental Justice Analysis Starts in Planning course teaches transportation practitioners to incorporate environmental justice (EJ) principles, conduct EJ analysis, and apply findings in the planning phase of transportation decision-making. The course provides practitioners and their partners with quantitative and qualitative approaches, tools, and resources to meaningfully incorporate EJ considerations into the planning process and its products. They’ll learn how to prioritize investments that meet community needs and aspirations and improve quality of life–especially for communities with EJ concerns. The target audience for this instructor-led training course includes transportation planners, program managers, environmental protection specialists, and other planning practitioners with an intermediate-level understanding of EJ concepts, processes, and principles.
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Integrating Natural Hazard Resilience into the Transportation Planning Process is a new handbook from FHWA for state and local transportation agencies. This resource was developed to help transportation professionals build resilience to natural disasters, extreme weather events, and climate change, and to address the mitigation of stormwater. The handbook provides options for improving transportation system resilience by weaving it throughout the long-range transportation planning process. The handbook also includes a forward on Resilience Improvement Plans, voluntary plans established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
- FHWA announced the availability of the 2024 CMAQ Program Interim Guidance to incorporate requirements and changes enacted under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) as well as previous transportation legislation and congressional actions. The Interim Guidance provides information and guidance on eligibility, funds transfer, and other CMAQ Program requirements. The 60-day comment period ends on January 6, 2025. FHWA will consider all timely comments submitted to the docket in developing the final guidance.
- FHWA’s Office of Safety has a number of available resources and upcoming opportunities:
- FHWA’s Roadway Safety Noteworthy Practices Database is a free, online resource to help transportation agencies address roadway safety challenges. It contains more than 300 case studies and is searchable by topic, state, and year.
- FHWA recently produced an animated video that features two fictitious transportation agencies working to implement road improvement projects. One integrates safety throughout their work, the other falls short. Play the 6-minute video at an upcoming meeting and use the companion discussion guide to foster reflection and dialogue about how to strengthen the safety culture at your agency. Watch How Do You Know You have a Strong Road Safety Culture?
- FHWA has published a toolkit aimed at assessing and improving the safety culture of transportation agencies. Comprised of five elements, the Organizational Safety Culture Self-Assessment Toolkit includes an instruction manual for facilitators, a questionnaire with two assessment survey tools, strategies for improvement, an improvement plan template, and a resource list.
- FHWA recently published the Guide for Maintaining Active Transportation Infrastructure for Enhanced Safety. This Guide identifies effective practices for active transportation infrastructure maintenance based on the experiences of state, local, and Tribal agencies.
The USDOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard provides communities with an overview of discretionary grant opportunities that can help meet their transportation infrastructure needs. The list below spotlights a few of the currently open funding opportunities – visit the Grants Dashboard to find more or check out the calendar of open and upcoming grant opportunities!
New and Notable!
On December 19, USDOT’s Build America Bureau (Bureau) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The NOFO offers $27 million in technical assistance grants to rural and Tribal communities for the planning and design phase development of transportation projects. There is no local funding match required to participate in this program. The Bureau designated up to $10 million for Tribal applicants. The Bureau will accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis beginning March 4, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET. The Bureau posted a copy of the application on the website for interested entities to review and draft responses in advance. The application portal will close on April 3, 2025, at 4:59 p.m. ET. The Bureau will host a free webinar on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. ET. about the application process and what activities can be funded through the program. Register for the webinar here. Participation in the webinar is not mandatory to receive funding. The Bureau will post a recording of the webinar and a copy of the presentation at Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program | Build America (transportation.gov). To provide an inclusive experience, the Bureau will arrange accommodations for requests received at RuralandtribalTA@dot.gov up to five business days prior to the webinar.
More Grant Opportunities
- The Build America Bureau issued a NOFO for up to $10 million in no-match grants for the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program (RIA). The program funds technical resources, planning, and project development to expedite regional transportation infrastructure through innovative financing and delivery methods, including public-private partnerships. The deadline for applications is January 9, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
- Do you have a project or program that can put Road to Zero’s pillars into practice, advance the Safe System Approach, and help reduce roadway deaths and serious injuries? The application for the Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is now open. These 12-month grants fund organizations in the U.S. that are working on innovative and promising approaches for implementing evidence-based strategies. Applications are due by 11:55 p.m. ET on January 17, 2025, and awards will be announced in March 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the Community Traffic Safety Grants website, where you can also view the work of current and past grantees. If you have questions that are not answered there, contact RoadToZero@nsc.org.
- USDOT’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors, including state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities, to pursue multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs. The FY2025 RAISE NOFO is now open. Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on January 30, 2025. Visit the RAISE webinar series page to join an upcoming webinar or find recordings and materials from past webinars.
- FHWA has posted the Fiscal Years (FY) 2024-2026 NOFO for the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program, a competitive grant program created by BIL to help make surface transportation more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters. This NOFO offers a total of up to $876 million in funding through two application periods, including up to $576 million for FYs 2024 and 2025, and up to $300 million for FY 2026. The FY 2024-2025 application period opened on October 25, 2024, and will remain open for applications through February 24, 2025. Visit the PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program Website to find recordings and slides from webinars FHWA hosted in November on the PROTECT grant opportunity.
In preparing your application for any of the above programs, be sure to read the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity and related program materials to ensure your project and organization are eligible and you are meeting other program/application requirements. General information to help prepare for USDOT applications can also be found on the USDOT Navigator, including the Discretionary Grant Preparation Checklist for Prospective Applicants.
With the goal of passing along outside resources specifically designed to build local capacity, especially for disadvantaged urban, rural, and tribal communities, to successfully develop transportation projects and funding applications, the USDOT Navigator Bulletin includes opportunities that have been shared with the Department. Their inclusion does not indicate USDOT endorsement.
- The National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) Center for Heat Resilient Communities, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-funded Center of Excellence dedicated to supporting local governments in determining the best strategies to advance heat resilience in local communities, is seeking applicants for its inaugural cohort. This first-of-its-kind opportunity brings together teams of experts and over 50 cross-sector partners to create a roadmap for equitable community heat resilience across six core areas of preparation and response. The application window is now open, and will close on January 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Visit the website to learn more and sign up for an upcoming Q&A session.
- The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently released its “Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, 5th Edition,” which provides information on the planning, design, and operation of bikeways along streets, roads, and highways, as well as on off-street paths in urban, suburban, and rural settings.
- The U.S. Department of the Treasury published “A Framework for Providing Technical Assistance and Capacity Building to State and Local Governments for the Use of Elective Pay.” For many state and local governments – especially smaller or low-capacity local governments – there is a need for capacity building and technical assistance to maximize the use of elective pay in developing clean energy projects. This paper provides a framework for understanding the need for technical assistance and capacity building, a readout on what is understood about programs and initiatives already in place, and ideas and options for what should come next.
USDOT’s video - “The Big Deal” highlights the Investing in America agenda that is investing in workers, neighborhoods, and better transportation. In honor of the three-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November, the White House released a new fact sheet and statement from President Joe Biden. Check out USDOT’s Investing in America video series for more on projects and progress made possible by BIL.
In the past few months, USDOT has announced billions in funding from across modal administrations. This includes, but is not limited to:
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$125 million for 16 wildlife crossing projects in 16 states through FHWA’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. The purpose of the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program is to improve safety for motorists and wildlife by reducing vehicle collisions with wildlife while also improving habitat connectivity and supporting the survival of threatened or endangered species.
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$7.6 million in grants through FHWA’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration program to promote state-of-the-art technology in new standards and construction to accelerate construction.
- The Federal Rail Administration (FRA)’s nearly $1.5 billion investment in 19 projects along the Northeast Corridor (NEC), one of the busiest and most economically significant rail corridors in the world. Administered through its Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program, the funding will go toward repair and replacement of vital NEC infrastructure to provide faster, safer, and more reliable service for travelers and commuters.
- The Maritime Administration (MARAD)’s nearly $580 million investment from the Port Infrastructure Development Program to fund 31 port improvement projects in 15 states and one U.S. territory, which will help increase both capacity and efficiency at coastal seaports, Great Lakes ports, and inland river ports.
- USDOT’s $172 million in grants to 257 communities through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program, created in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Through SS4A, USDOT is empowering Tribal, local, and regional efforts to save lives and reduce serious injuries on our roadways.
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$1.2 billion in grants to 39 State Departments of Transportation under FHWA’s Low Carbon Transportation Materials Discretionary Grant Program to support continued growth in clean American manufacturing, boosting the competitiveness of clean U.S. industries and the creation of good manufacturing jobs while reducing pollution from the production of concrete, steel, and other bedrock materials of our economy.
- More than $4.2 billion in funding for 44 projects through the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) grant program and the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program. These projects will improve safety, mobility, and economic competitiveness through construction of major bridges, expansion of port capacity, redesign of interchanges, and more.
- FHWA’s nearly $635 million investment in 22 small and medium-sized bridge projects in both rural and urban areas, from Maine to Mississippi to Arizona and Alaska. Projects will improve safety and support economic competitiveness and America’s supply chains, restoring connections that are vital to commuters, emergency responders, truck drivers, and public transit riders.
- The Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s $10.5 million in grants to support the development and preservation of affordable housing near public transit in 11 communities in 10 states through the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning.
- FHWA’s $16.6 million in grant awards to projects in eight states under the Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems (ADCMS) grant program. This program provides funding as an incentive for state departments of transportation to promote the use of data and technologies that allow for a more seamless flow of digital information, moving away from paper-based systems and building efficiencies into project delivery processes.
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$96.5 million in grants to 16 states for 20 projects under FHWA’s Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program. The grants will fund technology-based and multimodal solutions that improve the travel experience for millions of Americans who use highway and transit systems, including in disadvantaged communities that have lacked investment and resources.
- FRA’s more than $2.4 billion in funding for 122 rail improvement projects in 41 states and Washington, D.C. These projects – administered through FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program – will make rail safer, more reliable, and more resilient, getting goods and people where they need to be quickly with fewer disruptions, lower shipping costs and less pollution.
If you have information or resources you would like to be considered for inclusion in future USDOT Navigator biweekly bulletins, reach out to USDOTAssist@dot.gov.
Click the link below to join the listserv or visit the USDOT Navigator to find information and resources on applying for USDOT grants and planning for and delivering transformative infrastructure projects and services.
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