The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently announced that it would provide $225 million in Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP) grant funds to rural states to maintain bridges.
FHWA published a Notice of Funding Opportunity in the Federal Register regarding the initiative. By law, the funds are restricted to states with a population density of fewer than 100 people per square mile.
“Bridges are an integral part of our infrastructure, and these funds will help rural states ensure that their bridges remain safe and well-maintained,” Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said.
The funds must be used for highway bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects on public roads that leverage the efficiencies associated with bundling at least two highway bridge projects into a single contract.
Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Brandye L. Hendrickson said the program represents an important funding source to repair and replace bridges.
“Bundling projects will relieve rural bridge owners of administrative burden and capitalize on buying in bulk, which will make it easier for bridge repairs or replacement projects to begin,” Hendrickson said.
Officials said 25 states qualify and are invited to apply under the program, according to the notice.
Congress funded the CHBP grant project in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, from the Treasury’s General Fund.