Across the country, state departments of transportation are issuing funds to support a wide variety of local infrastructure projects, from bridge replacements and road repairs to vulnerable road user or VRU safety improvements.
[Above photo by the Nebraska DOT]
In early December, the Nebraska Department of Transportation selected proposals for the 10th round of its County Bridge Match Program or CBMP, established in 2016 under the state’s Transportation Innovation Act.
The agency said in a statement that the proposals selected for this round of funding represent nine counties and 15 bridges, with an estimated total construction cost of $9.8 million, which includes $4 million from the CBMP.
Created to share construction costs and help counties rebuild crossings essential to rural life and commerce, Nebraska DOT said the CBMP has become a “cornerstone” in maintaining and improving county bridges statewide by providing funds for the innovative replacement and repair of deficient county structures – with Nebraska DOT selecting applications based on criteria that emphasize community impacts on essential services, local economies, and daily life.
Meanwhile, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet issued $6 million to 12 critical bridge projects across nine Kentucky counties and one city from the fifth round of the state’s County and City Bridge Improvement Program, which has awarded $38.7 million to local governments in 2025.
“Our focus is simple: Repair what’s failing and restore access where it’s been lost,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray in a statement.
“These projects eliminate long detours, reopen safe routes for heavy vehicles, and strengthen the transportation network our communities rely on every day,” he noted.
The Kansas Department of Transportation awarded $5.9 million to 10 local transportation construction projects through its Cost Share Program; leveraging nearly $3.3 million in community matching funds for more than $9 million worth of infrastructure improvements that will enhance safety, support local economies, and improve connectivity across Kansas.
“Kansas communities have the clearest perspective on their local transportation priorities, and the Cost Share Program unlocks the ability to fund those desired projects,” explained Calvin Reed, Kansas DOT secretary, in a statement. “Kansas DOT is invested in this shared vision with our partners, delivering localized infrastructure that keeps the state moving forward.”
The Connecticut Department of Transportation shared a similar sentiment when awarding nearly $12 million to 17 towns and cities for projects via its Community Connectivity Grant Program. Now in its seventh round of awards, this state-funded program provides financial support for local infrastructure initiatives that make conditions safer and more accommodating for pedestrians and bicyclists in urban, suburban, and rural centers.
“This grant program, which helps fund these important community-driven projects, is an integral part of our mission,” noted Garrett Eucalitto, CTDOT commissioner and immediate past president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, in a statement. “This state funding is helping towns and cities deliver important projects; increasing safety and enhancing connectivity across Connecticut.”
And in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Transportation issued 11 Transportation Economic Development Fund Category F grants totaling $3.9 million to help rebuild local roads statewide.
“TEDF grants are a great tool for communities to improve local roads while helping create jobs and economic opportunities,” said Michigan DOT Director Bradley Wieferich in a statement. “These 11 agencies will be able to resurface roads, improve intersections, and address overall safety in areas where there are high commercial, customer and employee traffic.”
Concurrently, the department also awarded $11 million to local agencies to fund a variety of VRU safety improvements, such as separated pathways, pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, bike lanes, and other facilities to provide safe alternative transportation options embodying the “mobility for everyone” concept.
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