More than $9.6 billion is available for bridge planning, repair and replacement through 2026 from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. FHWA opened up applications Dec. 20 for Bridge Investment Program grants to support projects valued at $100 million or less.

Grants from this funding opportunity are also available to help with planning costs for bridge projects of any dollar value. FHWA opened applications in September for large projects valued at more than $100 million.

Money for the grants comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, which provides $12.5 billion for the Bridge Investment Program between fiscal years 2022 and 2026. FHWA awarded $2.1 billion in grants from the program last January for four large bridge projects, and in April awarded $295.7 million for nine sub-$100-million projects.

U.S. Dept. of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement that the grants are part of “the largest investment in America’s bridges since the construction of the Interstate system.” Altogether, IIJA has already funded more than 7,000 bridge projects, according to FHWA. 

The grants will cover as much as 80% of eligible project costs, or 50% of costs for large bridge projects valued at more than $100 million. FHWA set minimum award amounts of $2.5 million for projects under $100 million and $50 million for projects over $100 million. There is $20 million available for planning grants. 

FHWA is accepting grants for the multiyear program on a rolling basis. The deadline for fiscal year 2023 and ‘24 funding is March 19. Deadlines for fiscal year 2025 and ‘26 funding are Nov. 1 2024 and '25, respectively. For projects valued at more than $100 million, the deadlines are Aug. 1 of 2024 and '25.