Updates on Transportation Programs from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Signed into law on November 15, 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also referred to as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, funds numerous transportation infrastructure programs. A year and half later, some BIL programs are re-opening for the second round of applications, while other programs are still preparing to accept applications for the first time. You can view an up-to-date list of key funding opportunities at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) here.
A popular BIL funding opportunity currently accepting a second round of applications is the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. The second application period for SS4A recently opened on March 30th. This BIL-created grant program provides $5 billion over five years to regional, local and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries through planning grants and implementation grants. In the first round of awards, communities in our region received over $4.5 million in SS4A grants, including an implementation grant for the City of Charlotte and a planning grant for the City of Kannapolis.
SS4A planning grants can support the development of an action plan and/or fund demonstration activities that will inform the development of an action plan. Implementation grants fund projects and strategies identified in an action plan to address roadway safety problems. Applications are due Monday, July 10 by 5 p.m. More information on the SS4A grant program, including the latest Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), is available here.
The USDOT is preparing to open the first application period for competitive grants under the new Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) program. Created by the BIL, these grants will offer $1.4 billion over five years to help make surface transportation more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events and other natural disasters through support of planning activities, resilience improvements, community resilience and evacuation routes and at-risk costal infrastructure.
The first competitive grants application period for the PROTECT program will provide funding from both FY22 and FY23. The PROTECT program is expected to fund eligible projects that may include highway and transit projects, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and port facilities, including those that help improve evacuations or disaster relief. When the NOFO is released, it will be listed with other grants resources offered by Centralina in the member portal.Â
Centralina’s Government Affairs and Member Engagement team are available to assist member governments with grant strategy guidance, application feedback and formal grant writing and administration training. Learn more about our grant support services here.
