The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced Wednesday it would be accepting applications for nearly $890 million in grants from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding American (INFRA) program.
INFRA grants fund nationally or regionally significant transportation projects that align with the Biden Administration’s priorities to create jobs, improve safety, apply transformative technology and address climate change and racial equity.
“As we work to recover and emerge from this devastating pandemic stronger than before, now is the time to make lasting investments in our nation’s infrastructure,” said Secretary Buttigieg. “We are committed to not just rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, but building back in a way that positions American communities for success in the future—creating good-paying jobs, boosting the economy, ensuring equity, and tackling our climate crisis. The INFRA grant program is a tremendous opportunity to help achieve these goals.”
USDOT said it is looking for projects that will specifically address climate change and environmental justice. The projects will be evaluated on whether they were planned as part of an overall strategy to address climate change and support strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The department said it is also looking at racial equity in the projects. Project sponsors should have completed equity-focused community outreach, and projects should be designed to improve the connection to underserved communities and reduce barriers to opportunity. Projects located in federally designated community development zones will also be considered.
Grants will be awarded to large and small projects, with large projects receiving at least $25 million and small projects receiving at least $5 million. Ten percent of the available funds are reserved for small projects, and at least 25 percent of the funding must be awarded to rural projects.
Applications must be received by March 19, 2021.