BIP - Funding Programs - Management and Preservation - Bridges & Structures

Bridge Investment Program

UPDATE: FY23-26 Bridge Investment Program

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is pleased to issue a first-ever rolling Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Large Bridge Project portion of the Bridge Investment Program. Applications for Large Bridge Project Grants (those with total eligible project costs of greater than $100 million) will be accepted through December 4, 2023 for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 funding. ( - DEADLINE EXTENDED)

In addition to the NOFO, FHWA is providing an updated Large Bridge Project Application Template to help applicants prepare their applications and a new Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool to help applicants complete the required Benefit-Cost Analysis.

In another change designed to help applicants, FHWA will for the first time conduct a review process that provides for an applicant whose application is determined to be ineligible an opportunity to submit an amended application.

Please note: While the Fiscal Year 2022 round of the Bridge Investment Program covered three categories of grants - including Planning Project Grants and Bridge Project Grants (those with total eligible project costs of not greater than $100 million) - this NOFO is only for Large Bridge Project Grants and FHWA will issue a separate NOFO for the other two categories of Bridge Investment Program grants.

Program Overview

The Bridge Investment Program is a competitive, discretionary program that focuses on existing bridges to reduce the overall number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition. It also expands applicant eligibilities to create opportunity for all levels of government to be direct recipients of program funds. Alongside states and federal lands management agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and local and tribal governments can also apply directly to FHWA, making it easier to advance projects at the local level that meet community needs.

Grant Application

On September 27, 2023, the FHWA opened a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $9.62 billion in FYs 2023 through 2026 Large Bridge Project grant applications under the Bridge Investment Program. Large Bridge Project Grants under the Bridge Investment Program are available for bridges with total eligible project costs over $100 million, with minimum grant awards of $50 million, and maximum grant awards of 50 percent of the total eligible project costs.

The deadlines for applications to be submitted via Grants.gov are:
- December 4, 2023, for consideration of FYs 2023 and 2024 funds. ( - DEADLINE EXTENDED)
- August 1, 2024, for consideration of FY 2025 funds.
- August 1, 2025, for consideration of FY 2026 funds.
Bridge Investment Program Fact Sheet
Questions and Answers UPDATED 11/21/2023
Large Bridge Grants NOFO Overview [Recording] [Presentation]

More information and resources will be added here as they become available.

Application Templates

Large Bridge Project Application Template. Please note: FHWA is aware of an issue with uploading the Large Bridge Project Application Template to Grants.gov in the original .XLSB file type. Please save the file as .XLS file type following these instructions and upload it to Grants.gov.
Large Bridge Application Template Troubleshooting Guide

Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool

The FHWA has developed the Microsoft® Excel®-based Bridge Investment Program Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool (BIP BCA Tool) to help applicants summarize project costs and benefits, and to obtain data from the NBI in preparation of the economic analysis required for both Large Bridge Project and Bridge (smaller projects) applications. Please visit the Bridge Investment Program Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool home page to download the tool and user manual and to view a training video.

Grant Recipients

Per statutory requirements, during the period of FYs 2022 through 2026, in each State from which an eligible project is submitted, DOT will award not fewer than 1 Large Bridge Project that is deemed justified or 2 Bridge Projects that are deemed justified. An award is not required to be made to an eligible project which was determined to not be justified under an evaluation (23 U.S.C. 124(c)(5)(B)(ii) and (iii)). The States that have already met this statutory requirement are:

California
Connecticut
Illinois
Kentucky
Ohio

Learn more about the recipients.

Grant Implementation

Additional Information

Achived Material

Bridge Investment Program Overview Webinar (6/10/2022) [Presentation]
- Planning Grants Overview [Presentation]
- Bridge and Large Bridge Grants Overview [Presentation]
Application Templates:

Bridges & Structures