Texas to receive federal bridge funding as part of new $27B program

Texas will receive more than $537 million over the next five years in federal funding to replace or repair its bridges as part of $26.5 billion to be awarded from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is launching the historic Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection, and Construction Program (Bridge Formula Program) with $5.3 billion available from the law in Fiscal Year 2022 to states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Texas’ portion of FY 2022 funding is $107.4 million. According to USDOT, Texas has 818 bridges in poor condition. Nationwide, the Bridge Formula Program is expected to help replace, rehabilitate, preserve, protect, and construct approximately 15,000 highway bridges.

In addition to providing funds to states, the Bridge Formula Program has dedicated funding for tribal transportation facility bridges as well as “off-system” bridges, which are generally locally-owned facilities not on the federal-aid highway system.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes an incentive for states to direct the new program funds to off-system bridges owned by a county, city, town, or other local agency.

States generally must match federal funding with up to 20 percent state or local funding, but the guidance issued on January 14 notes that federal funds may be used for 100 percent of the cost of repairing or rehabilitating such locally owned off-system bridges.

Administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the program represents the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system – providing $26.5 billion over five years to states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico over five years and $825 million for tribal transportation facilities.

Source: Strategic Partnerships