Funds projects for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection, reducing the number of bridges in poor or fair condition and enhancing their resilience to flooding.

Has a regional or watershed focus

Application cycle:

• Large bridge projects: August 1, 2025.
• Bridge projects: November 1, 2025.
• Planning Projects: October 1, 2025.

Summary: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Bridge Investment Program (BIP) improves bridge safety and reliability by reducing the number of structurally deficient bridges, including those designated as being in poor or fair condition. Funding is available for culvert replacement and rehabilitation, which helps manage stormwater and reduce roadway flooding.

Eligible applicants: A state or group of states, a metropolitan planning organization serving an urbanized area with a population of 200,000, a unit of local government or group of local governments, a political subdivision of a state or local government, a special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, a federal land management agency, a tribal government or consortium of Tribal governments, a multi-state or multijurisdictional group of entities. 

Eligible activities: There are three types of projects eligible for BIP funding: 

• Large bridge projects: Replacing, rehabilitating, preserving, or protecting one or more bridges from flood damage, ensuring they remain safe and operational. Applies to bridges in the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) or bridge bundling and culvert projects under the BIP Program. Total eligible project costs must be greater than $100 million. 
• Bridge projects: Replacing, rehabilitating, preserving, or protecting one or more bridges on the NBI. Raising bridges, reinforcing foundations, and upgrading drainage systems are all actions that help bridges to withstand heavy rainfall and rising water levels. Total eligible project costs are not to exceed $100 million. 
• Planning grants: Planning, feasibility analyses, and revenue forecasting associated with the development of a project allow communities to assess vulnerabilities, model future flood risks, and develop strategic plans to strengthen bridges and culverts before disasters strike. Recipients would subsequently be eligible to apply for assistance under the BIP. 

Funding: Typically ranges from $50,000–80,000,000. The minimum and maximum level of funding for an award varies depending on the activity: 

• Large bridge projects: Minimum $50 million / maximum 50% of total eligible project costs.
• Bridge projects: Minimum $2.5 million / maximum 80% of total eligible project costs.
• Planning grants: No minimum or maximum; previously funded planning grants have ranged from $64,000 to $2.3 million.

Cost share: 

• 50% federal / 50% nonfederal for large bridge projects; 80% federal / 20% non-federal for bridge projects and planning projects.
• Filter — Tribal Communities: For Tribes, federal funds other than those made available under the BIP may be used to satisfy 100 percent of the non-federal share.

Application process: 

• Applications are to be submitted via grants.gov, and application templates can be found here.
• The DOT may only award a grant to large bridge projects and bridge projects under the conditions that (1) the project is reasonably expected to begin construction no later than 18 months after the date on which funds are obligated, and (2) preliminary engineering is complete for the project.
• Project application merit criteria can be found here. There are no statutory evaluation requirements for planning grants, but for bridge project grants, DOT will evaluate the benefits of the proposed projects to long-term resilience to extreme weather events, flooding, or other natural disasters.