AASHTO Journal - FHWA Issues over $26M in Bridge Planning Grants

The Federal Highway Administration recently awarded roughly $26.5 million in planning grants via its Bridge Investment Program to fund 28 projects in 18 states.

[Above photo by Alaska DOT&PF]

This tranche of grant awards follows $5 billion issued by FHWA in July to 13 nationally significant bridge projects, 12 of which are overseen by state departments of transportation.

To date, FHWA said it has issued $7.4 billion from the Bridge Investment Program – established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA – to 78 projects in 38 states across the country.

“The planning grants announced today will help states and communities prepare critical bridge projects for restoration or replacement before they fall into a state of disrepair,” said FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt in a statement.

He added that those planning grants support work on bridge projects that serve as a “vital transportation link” for communities nationwide, “supporting local economies, strengthening supply chains, and promoting resilience and safety in transportation.”

FHWA noted that those planning grants provide support for the “early phases” of bridge project development, with eligible activities including planning, feasibility analysis, and revenue forecasting.

By providing planning grants in addition to construction grants, FHWA said it is supporting the development stage of a project that could then be eligible for a future construction grant through a range of competitive grant programs.

Several bridge projects overseen by state DOTs received grants via this round of bridge planning grant funding, including:

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will receive $1.9 million for planning studies to evaluate four critical bridges along the Dalton Highway and Koyukuk River corridor. The bridges are at a heightened risk due to flooding worsened by climate change.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will receive $2.3 million to develop strategic management plans for seven high priority bridges across the state’s Trunk Highway System. The plan will identify activities to improve the condition of the bridges, extend their service life, reduce the number of bridges that deteriorate to poor condition, and reduce the number of miles driven over bridges in poor condition.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation and Georgia Department of Transportation will receive $1.6 million for a Planning and Environmental Linkages study to evaluate the replacement needs for six rural bridges in fair or poor condition along the Interstate 85 corridor; a study that will also examine the needs for additional truck parking.