U.S. DOT Announces $4.2 Billion in Awards for National Infrastructure Projects
On October 21, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced more than $4.2 billion in awards from the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) Grant Program and the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant Program. The U.S. DOT awarded grants to 44 projects in 31 States for modernizing roadways and bridges, improving interchanges, expanding port capacity, and deploying intelligent transportation systems (ITS). More information is available here and here.
EPA Announces $3 Billion in Awards for Clean Ports Program
On October 29, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $3 billion in awards from the Clean Ports Program. The EPA awarded grants to 55 projects in 27 States and territories for zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure, as well as climate and air quality planning. More information is available here.
FRA Announces $2.4 Billion in Awards for Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements
On October 29, 2024, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced more than $2.4 billion in awards from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. FRA awarded grants to 122 rail improvement projects in 41 States and Washington, D.C. for various rail safety and service improvements, such as upgrading track, replacing or rehabilitating aging bridges, expanding rail connections at ports, and adding modern locomotives to fleets. More information is available here.
FHWA Announces $635 Million in Awards for Bridge Investment Program
On October 31, 2024, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced nearly $635 million in awards from the Bridge Investment Program (BIP). FHWA awarded grants to 19 States for 22 small and medium-sized bridge projects. More information is available here.
FHWA Announces $130 Million in Awards for Congestion Relief Program
On October 17, 2024, FHWA announced more than $130 million in awards from the Congestion Relief Program. FHWA awarded grants to 7 projects in 6 States for various congestion relief projects involving traffic signals, ramp metering, commuter buses, microtransit, rail modernization, and mobility wallets. More information is available here.
FHWA Announces $96 Million in Awards for Advanced Technologies and Innovations
On October 25, 2024, FHWA announced more than $96 million in awards from the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) Program. FHWA awarded grants to 20 projects in 16 States for various technologies and innovations involving traffic management systems, vehicle connectivity, pedestrian and intersection safety, and trip planning applications. More information is available here.
FRA Announces $1 Billion in Available Funding for Intercity Passenger Rail Program
On October 1, 2024, FRA announced the availability of more than $1 billion in funding through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program for projects not located in the Northeast Corridor. This program funds capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service. The application deadline is December 16, 2024. More information is available here.
FHWA Announces $876 Million in Available Funding for PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program
On October 1, 2024, FHWA announced the availability of $876 million in funding through the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program. The purpose of the PROTECT Program is to provide grants on a competitive basis for projects that seek to strengthen surface transportation to be more resilient to natural hazards through support of planning activities, resilience improvements, community resilience and evacuation routes, and at-risk costal infrastructure. The application deadline is February 24, 2025. More information is available here.
U.S. DOT Announces $10 Million in Available Funding to Accelerate Regional Infrastructure
On October 28, 2024, the U.S. DOT announced the availability of $10 million in funding through the Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) Program. The RIA Program funds technical resources, planning, and project development to expedite regional transportation infrastructure through innovative financing and delivery methods, including public-private partnerships. The application deadline is January 9, 2025. More information is available here.
Application Deadlines Approaching for Other U.S. DOT Discretionary Grant Opportunities
Please be aware of the approaching application deadlines for the following discretionary grant opportunities from the U.S. DOT:
- November 25 – Low Carbon Transportation Materials (LCTM) Program.
- December 16 – National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP).
FHWA Proposes To Revise Federal Noise Regulations for Highway Traffic and Construction
On October 18, 2024, FHWA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register [89 FR 83801] to propose revisions to the Federal regulations in 23 CFR Part 772 for the abatement of highway traffic noise and construction noise. The public comment deadline is December 17, 2024.
New Resources and Publications from the U.S. DOT
The U.S. DOT recently published the following resources:
- Guide for Maintaining Active Transportation Infrastructure for Enhanced Safety.
- Integrating Natural Hazard Resilience into the Transportation Planning Process.
- Model Deployment of the Virtual Coordination Center for Multimodal Integrated Corridor Management.
- Part-Time Shoulder Use Synthesis of Practice.
- Safe Access for Everyone Is Good for Business.
- Systemic Safety User Guide.
- Systems Engineering for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).
- Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) Risks in Transportation.
- Understanding Safety Challenges of Vehicles Equipped with Automated Driving Systems (ADS) – Analysis of ADS Disengagements.
New Research from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program
The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) recently published the following research:
- Flood Forecasting for Transportation Resilience.
- Incorporating Resilience into Transportation Networks.
- Intermodal Passenger Facility Planning and Decision-Making for Seamless Travel.
Upcoming Webinars in November
Here is the registration information for some upcoming webinars:
- November 8 – Behavioral Science and Nudge Applications in Transportation.
- November 12 – Results of a Systemic Study of Pedestrian Safety in Tribal Areas.
- November 13 – Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Funding Opportunity Informational Webinar.
- November 13 – Risk-Based Safety Planning for Tribes.
- November 14 – Resilient Transportation Infrastructure: U.S. DOT Climate Adaptation Plan 2024-2027.
- November 19 – Rural Accessibility to Economic Opportunities and Education.
- November 20 – Intermodal Passenger Facility Trends in Technology and User Experience.
- November 21 – Evolving the Practice of Benefit-Cost Analysis