Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA)
Federal Agency
Sub-Department
Build America Bureau
Purpose
To fund transportation projects of national and regional significance that are in line with the Biden Administration’s principles for national infrastructure projects that result in good-paying jobs, improve safety, apply transformative technology, and explicitly address climate change and racial equity.
Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include 1) a State or group of States (For INFRA, the definition of State includes the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico); 2) a metropolitan planning organization that serves an Urbanized Area with a population of more than 200,000 individuals; 3) a unit of local government or group of local governments; 4) a political subdivision of a State or local government; 5) a special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, including a port authority; 6) a Federal land management agency that applies jointly with a State or group of States; 7) a tribal government or a consortium of tribal governments; 8) a multistate corridor organization; or 9) a multistate or multijurisdictional group of entities described in this paragraph. Eligible projects include 1) a highway freight project on the National Highway Freight Network; 2) a highway or bridge project on the National Highway System; 3) a freight intermodal, freight rail, or freight project within the boundaries of a public or private freight rail, water (including ports), or intermodal facility and that is a surface transportation infrastructure project necessary to facilitate direct intermodal interchange, transfer, or access into or out of the facility; 4) a highway-railway grade crossing or grade separation project; 5) a wildlife crossing project; 6) a surface transportation project within the boundaries or functionally connected to an international border crossing that improves a facility owned by Fed/State/local government and increases throughput efficiency; 7) a project for a marine highway corridor that is functionally connected to the NHFN and is likely to reduce road mobile source emissions; 8) a highway, bridge, or freight project on the National Multimodal Freight Network.
Decarbonization Considerations
This program is intended to upgrade the nation's freight transportation infrastructure and include components that reduce emissions, promote energy efficiency, incorporate electrification or zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, increase resiliency, and recycle or redevelop existing infrastructure. Consider projects that electrify freight operations and transport or create/enhance charging networks for light- and heavy-duty trucks.
Equity Considerations
USDOT has added two new evaluation criteria: 1) climate change and environmental justice and 2) racial equity and reducing barriers to opportunity. It will also consider whether the project is located in a federally designated community development zone, including qualified Opportunity Zones, Empowerment Zones, Promise Zones, or Choice Neighborhoods. In addition, at least 25% of the funds provided must be used for projects located in rural areas.
Helpful Tips
New consideration has been given to project labor agreements and local hiring as important aspects of economic vitality and innovative project delivery. The innovation criterion has also been expanded to include technology such as vehicle-to-infrastructure communications and electrification.
Other Notes
See 2023 - 2024 awards here: https://www.transportation.gov/grants/mpdg-Program/MPDGFY23-24/INFRA-Awards, See 2023 - 2024 awards here: https://www.transportation.gov/grants/mpdg-Program/MPDGFY23-24/INFRA-Awards