Description: U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) plans to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) in Summer 2023. The BIP is a discretionary grant program that seeks to reduce the overall number of existing bridges on the National Bridge Inventory that are in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition.
To better plan and prepare for this grant opportunity, CRCOG has created three static maps and an interactive online map of the region using data obtained from Connecticut Department of Transportation. The maps depict bridges rated in poor or fair condition. Some of the bridges have been allocated funding through state or other programs, while others have not.
- Map of Municipal Bridges in CRCOG Rated Poor Condition
- Map of Municipal Bridges in CRCOG Rated Fair Condition
- Map of State Bridges in CRCOG Rated Poor Condition
- Interactive Online Map
Link to Program Website: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/bip/
Eligible Applicants: State, Municipalities, CRCOG, Others
Due Date: TBD
Information about FY2022 BIP, provided for reference and information only:
There is limited information about the FY2023 BIP since the NOFO has not yet been issued. The following information last year's (FY2022) NOFO is provided here for information and reference only. While some components of the BIP are statutory and may not change from year-to-year, other components may differ. It is necessary to review NOFOs for each program that is announced, and not rely on notices from prior years.
In Summer 2022, FHWA announced availability of $2.36 billion for the BIP. There were three types of grants available:
- Planning (closed July 25, 2022). A total of $20 million was available for planning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting for projects that would subsequently be eligible for Bridge or Large Bridge funding categories;
- Bridge - projects with eligible costs less than $100 million (closed September 8, 2022); and
- Large Bridge - projects with eligible costs greater than $100 million (closed August 9,2022).
A total of $2.34 billion was available for Bridge and Large Bridge Projects for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection projects.
Program Goals:
- Improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges;
- Improve the condition of bridges by (a) reducing the number of bridges that are in poor condition or that are in fair condition and at risk of falling into poor condition within the next three years, (b) reducing the total person miles traveled over bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition and at risk of falling into poor condition within the next three years, (c) reducing the number of bridges that do not meet current geometric design standards, or cannot meet the load and traffic requirements typical of the regional transportation network, and (d) reducing the total person miles traveled over bridges that do not meet current geometric design standards, or cannot meet the load and traffic requirements typical of the regional transportation network; and
- Provide financial assistance that leverages and encourages non-Federal contributions from sponsors and stakeholders involved in the planning, design, and construction of eligible projects.
Large Bridge Projects awarded $100 million or more were eligible for multiyear grants. Applicants could apply for one, two, or all three categories. US DOT had developed application templates for each category.
Bridge and Large Bridge projects are statutorily required to begin construction not later than 18 months after the date funds are obligated for the project and preliminary engineering is complete for the project - applying for a Planning Grant or Bridge Project Phased Grant is one tactic to obtain funding for preconstruction activities while meeting this statutory requirement.
U.S. DOT seeks to fund Bridge and Large Bridge projects that have completed the environmental review process and are ready to proceed to the next stage within 12 months of receiving a Categorical Exclusion Determination, Finding of No Significant Impact or Record of Decision.
U.S. DOT encourages projects that prioritize safety and implement the Safe System Approach to address safety of all road users, including those who walk, bike, drive, ride transit, and travel by other modes. U.S. DOT also encourages adoption and implementation of Complete Streets policies and strategies in applications.
