Fact Sheets on Highway Provisions

NATIONAL HISTORIC COVERED BRIDGE PRESERVATION

Program Purpose

To provide for the rehabilitation, repair, or preservation of covered bridges that are listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Statutory References

SAFETEA-LU Section: 1804

Funding

Funded by contract authority, available until expended and not transferable. Funds are subject to the overall Federal-aid highway obligation limitation. [1804, 1102]

Eligible Use of Funds

Eligible uses of funds are the rehabilitation or repair of a historic covered bridge, or the preservation of such a bridge, including installation of a fire protection system, installation of a system to prevent vandalism or arson, or relocation of a bridge to a preservation site.

To the maximum extent practicable, projects under this program must be carried out in the most historically appropriate manner and preserve the existing structure of the historic covered bridge. The project must also provide for the replacement of wooden components with wooden components unless the use of wood is impracticable for safety reasons.

Project Selection

The Secretary of Transportation will make grants based on applications from States that demonstrate the need for assistance in carrying out one or more eligible historic covered bridge projects.

Federal Share

The Federal share is 80 percent, subject to sliding scale adjustment under 23 USC 120(b). [1804]