The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published last week a notice of funding opportunity in the Federal Register to granting $300 million to projects aimed at building and repairing roads and bridges that serve tribal or federal lands.
Funds are provided through the Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) program, as established by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act. It offers federal assistance of up to 90 percent of a project to aid its construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation. Under the program, large-scale construction projects with estimated costs of $50 million or more are given priority, though any with costs of at least $25 million may apply.
“The program prioritizes highways and bridges that access our national treasures and improve the quality of life throughout Indian country,” Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Brandye Hendrickson said. “The funds will go a long way in making sure that needed improvements to infrastructure serving federal and tribal lands are addressed.”
Both federal land management agencies and tribal authorities can apply for associated grants. They can also sponsor state and local agencies to do so, with applications accepted on a rolling basis.