Bridge Investment Program (DOT)

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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.

 

Project spotlight — Flood Resilient Bridges in Iowa:

The City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was awarded $6,000,000 for the Arc of Justice Bridge Replacement project, which will replace a bridge built over the Cedar River in 1938. By providing 10 feet of low chord clearance above the 100-year flood elevation, the project will enhance flood resilience and ensure the bridge remains open during flooding events, improving the movement of people and goods in the area.

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Help Me Choose

Which characteristics is your community looking for in funding opportunities?

Disaster declaration
A Presidential Disaster Declaration unlocks a suite of federal programs that assist local governments with disaster recovery. This is a good filter for communities included in recent Disaster Declarations related to flooding.
Nature-based solutions
The program has a strong focus on providing assistance to promote a healthy ecosystem as a critical defense against flooding impacts. Eligible activities may include floodplain restoration, environmental stewardship, projects that use natural features to mitigate erosion, and living shorelines.
Encourages public-private partnerships
The program encourages or requires collaboration between government entities and stakeholders, including the private sector, to fund, develop, or implement projects.
Offers rolling deadlines
The program accepts applications on an ongoing basis with no fixed deadline.

Is your project in the planning, design, or construction phase?

Planning
The gathering of data and information regarding the extent and impacts of flooding. Eligible activities may include data acquisition, risk assessment, and environmental analysis.
Design & scoping
Covers pre-construction activities, such as defining project scope, developing technical designs, and securing funding to prepare for implementation.
Construction & implementation
Involves carrying out flood resilience projects, including building infrastructure and deploying solutions to reduce flood risks.

Are you looking for grants, loans, or technical assistance for your project?

Funding (grants)
A monetary award that does not need to be repaid. Many federal grants are reimbursable, meaning recipients must cover project costs upfront and then request reimbursement from the government.
Financing (loans)
A government-issued loan that must be repaid. These loans typically provide funding upfront, helping communities cover project costs before repayment begins.
Technical assistance
Assistance from the government in the form of services — such as project planning, engineering and design support, data analysis, training, capacity building, or collaboration through a cooperative agreement — instead of direct funding.

Some programs provide extra support for specific project types or communities. Do any of these apply to your project?

Small or rural communities
Programs that set aside funding, offer loan forgiveness, or adjust cost share requirements for communities with smaller populations.
Small or low-cost projects
Programs that offer reduced requirements for smaller projects, such as waived cost-sharing or exemptions from benefit-cost analysis.
Regional or watershed focus
Programs that support projects that take a watershed management approach or address flooding at a regional scale, requiring coordination beyond a single town or community.
Tribal communities
Programs that dedicate resources or adjust cost share requirements specifically for tribal governments or organizations.
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