DOT funds earmarked for port development initiatives

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The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) has $225 million in grant funds available to improve port safety, efficiency, and reliability.

“America’s ports are a critical part of the Nation’s multimodal transportation network, and this Notice of Funding Opportunity provides guidance on how to apply for these grants,” Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said.

The funding allotment will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects within or outside of and directly related to operations of coastal seaports, inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports.

The deadline to apply for the Port Infrastructure Development Program is 8 p.m. EDT May 18, 2020.

DOT officials said evaluation criteria would include effect on the movement of goods, leverage of federal funding, net benefits, project readiness, and domestic preference while also taking into consideration geographic diversity how the project addresses challenges faced by rural areas.

“Infrastructure improvement must include our nation’s economic gateways – our ports – and the roads and railways that connect them to the local and national economy,” Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby said.

There has been $200 million reserved for grants to coastal seaports and Great Lakes ports. The minimum award size is $1 million.