Bulletin Brief: April 6, 2026
Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program:
$54.2 Million Awarded to 49 Projects Nationwide
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau (Bureau) has awarded $54.2 million in grants to 49 rural and tribal projects, accelerating project development and advancing critical infrastructure initiatives. This round of funding includes 31 rural recipients and 18 tribal recipients from 25 states.
These grants are part of the Rural and Tribal Assistance (RTA) Pilot Program, supporting projects that will rehabilitate deteriorating bridges and roads, improve transportation safety and mobility, develop port infrastructure, and expand multi-modal infrastructure—making the transportation of people and goods safer, more efficient, and more effective.
The RTA Pilot Program assists recipients in hiring staff or procuring financial, technical, and legal assistance for pre-construction activities, including exploring innovative financing and delivery methods. Awards were given on a first-come, first-served basis and included a $20 million set-aside specifically for tribal projects. A total of 799 applications were received from 49 states and three US territories, with requested funding exceeding $789 million, highlighting strong demand and a significant increase in interest.
For more information and a complete list of RTA awardees for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025, please visit the Bureau’s website.
Congratulations to the winners, and stay tuned for further updates from the Bureau!
The Build America Bureau accelerates investment in transportation infrastructure by lending Federal funds to qualified public and private borrowers; clearing roadblocks for creditworthy projects; and providing technical assistance services and grants to build local/regional capacity and implement best practices and innovative solutions in project planning, funding/financing, delivery, and operations. The Bureau draws on expertise across DOT to serve as the point of coordination for states, municipalities, private partners, and other project sponsors seeking Federal financing.
If you are interested in exploring federal financing with the Build America Bureau, please contact us at BuildAmerica@dot.gov.
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