USDOT doubles investment in Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Grant Program

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On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced it would double the number of grants available as part of its Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Demonstration Program.

The department will add $5 million in grants, bringing the total investment in the Build America Bureau program to $10 million. The money will be used to expedite the delivery of transportation infrastructure projects at the local and regional levels. The department is seeking applications for grants that would designate Accelerators to serve defined geographic areas and provide technical resources, as well as fund planning and development activities that will expedite projects through the Bureau’s loan programs and other innovative financing methods, including public-private partnerships.

“The Accelerators will identify and assist high priority projects that can take advantage of the billions of dollars available in the Bureau’s flexible, low-interest loans, providing an innovative financing mechanism to jump-start transformative projects and assure they are delivered expeditiously to serve the public,” said Build America Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajian. “We look forward to adding more Accelerators to expedite project development at the local level.”

Accelerators serve in a project development capacity that can focus on resources, funding, and expertise. Accelerators also assist in project planning, evaluate innovative financing options, and develop a pipeline of projects ready for investment. The Bureau will administer the Accelerators Demonstration Program and provide technical assistance and support to grant recipients, the Bureau said.

Five Regional Infrastructure Accelerators were announced last September for Fresno, Cal.; Chicago, Ill.; Cleveland, Ohio; San Diego, Cal.; and Seattle, Wash. The five Accelerators will receive $5 million to support their activities with a range of projects, from rail intermodal complexes to bridge rehabilitation to electric vehicle infrastructure and more.