The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has initiated the application process for $9.7 billion in multi-year funding, unveiled in September 2023.
The funding package is allocated for enhancing the nation’s bridges via the competitive Bridge Investment Program’s “Planning” and “Bridge Project” categories, specifically designed to support bridge planning, repair, and replacement initiatives with a budget under $100 million.
The Bridge Investment Program – Initiative Details
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which introduced the Bridge Investment Program (BIP), allocates $40 billion over five years. This investment aims to ensure critical bridges’ safety and functionality, meeting current and future travellers’ demands.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has already provided funding for over 7,000 bridge projects, addressing the urgent need for infrastructure enhancement.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (on the right) highlighted the impact of bridge closures, emphasizing the costs incurred by Americans in terms of time, finances, and disrupted supply chains, sometimes isolating entire communities from vital resources.
He credited President Biden’s vision, mentioning that this is the most substantial investment in America’s bridges since the construction of the Interstate system. Buttigieg emphasized that these grants will facilitate the repair of bridges across communities of varying sizes, ensuring safe transportation for people and goods.
The Bridge Investment Program has already supported nearly 40 bridge projects nationwide, and the additional funding will further assist communities in advancing crucial bridge initiatives in the coming years.
The Bridge Investment Program – Investments in 2022
In Fiscal Year 2022, the Bridge Investment Program allocated $2.4 billion towards the planning and constructing 37 significant bridge projects across 29 states nationwide. Some of the notable allocations included:
Project / Bridge | State | Amount Allocated |
Rehabilitation and reconfiguration of Brent Spence Bridge | Kentucky, Ohio | $1.385 billion |
Rehabilitation of four Calumet River bridges | Illinois | $144 million |
Replacement of Lafayette Avenue Bridge | Michigan | $73 million |
Replacement of six aged bridges in South Carolina | South Carolina | $51.2 million |
Replacement of six off-system bridges along John Nolen Drive Causeway | Wisconsin | $15.1 million |
Planning grant for Cape Cod Bridges | Massachusetts | Planning grant awarded |
Planning grant for I-5 Columbia River Crossing | Washington, Oregon | Planning grant awarded |
Brent Spence Bridge - BIP's Largest Funding Package in 2022
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project secured more than $1.3 Billion in funding in 2022 from the Bridge Investment Program.
The Project encompasses the reconstruction of approximately 5 miles of I-71/I-75 in Kentucky and a mile of I-75 in Ohio, and it involves the construction of a new companion bridge that will run parallel to the existing Brent Spence Bridge, extending westward across the Ohio River (further details are below).
Suggested Reading: Walsh-Kokosing JV to deliver the $3.6B Brent Spence Corridor Project
Key Aspects of the Project | Details |
Project Name | Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project |
Contract Value | $3.6 billion |
Contractor | Walsh Kokosing Design-Build Team (WKDBT) |
Key Design Firms | AECOM, Jacobs, Parsons |
Contract Style | Progressive Design-Build |
Scope |
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The joint project by the Governments of Ohio and Kentucky is being executed through a Progressive Design-Build Contract managed by Walsh-Kokosing JV.
Estimated at $3.6 billion, the contract encompasses a series of critical upgrades, including safety measures, traffic flow optimization, expanded interstate capacity between the states, intricate interchange geometry enhancements, and extensive upgrades along Kentucky’s interstate system.
Suggested Reading: Design and Construct (D&C) Contracts – How do they Work?
The Bridge Investment Program – Application to Program's Funding
The Bridge Investment Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is inviting applications for two project categories:
- “Planning” grants, supporting activities like planning, feasibility studies, and revenue projections linked to project development.
- “Bridge Project” grants aimed at bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection endeavours with total eligible costs of $100 million or less.
As per the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, priority will be given to grant applications for projects situated in a State that hasn’t previously received one Large Bridge Project grant or two Bridge Project grants. This prioritization will occur over grant recipients who have already secured funding.
The NOFO allocates available funding for Fiscal Years 2023 – 2026. It features updated merit criteria, offering more precise guidance for Bridge Project applicants. Additionally, FHWA strongly recommends utilizing updated application templates to furnish project details.
