Funding Resources/Updates
This page provides updates and resources related to the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) — also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) — signed into law on November 15, 2021.
The NJTPA has a central role in ensuring that North Jersey can take full advantage of the funding and programs in the Act. In particular, the Act provides much needed funding to repair and improve road, rail and bridge infrastructure in the region. To be eligible for this funding, all projects will have to be approved by the NJTPA Board for inclusion in the region's Transportation Improvement Program or TIP.
The Act also offers a host of funding opportunities for local governments to improve mobility for residents which can bolster local economies and quality of life (see resources below). As the region's Metropolitan Planning Organization, the NJTPA can assist in coordinating and helping with grant applications and submissions, including:
- Providing letters of support indicating that proposed activities are consistent with the region's long range transportation plan, Plan 2050
- Providing data on regional travel or directing applicants to appropriate data sources
- Providing information on related or complementary activities in the region
- Providing assistance on strategies to address planning issues, conduct outreach and assess equity and environmental impacts.
The NJTPA urges local governments or other organizations to contact the NJTPA and keep us informed regarding proposed applications for IIJA funding. This will ensure all concerned parties throughout the region can support and coordinate activities and realize the greatest benefits for the region's residents.
Latest Developments
May 25: Info Session on Transportation Equity — From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Topics include the USDOT Equity Action Plan, released on April 14 and how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can help advance transportation equity.
May 19: Webinar on Reconnecting Communities Pilot Discretionary Grant Program - Intended for potential applicants and their partners. The program, funded with $1 billion over the next 5 years, can support planning, construction, and technical assistance to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation, or replacement of infrastructure facilities that create barriers to mobility, access, or economic development.
May 16: Safe Streets and Roads grant opportunity — A notice of funding opportunity has been released for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program providing $5 billion in funds over the next 5 years. Eligible activities include developing a comprehensive safety action plan; planning, design, and development in support of an Action Plan; and implementing safety projects and strategies. Webinars on how to apply will be held June 13, 15 and 23. The deadline to apply for the FY2022 cycle is
September 15.
April 22: Summary of Federal Funding for EV Charging Infrastructure — This 16-page publication summarizes the various federal programs that fund and support expansion of electric vehicle charging, focusing on the National Highway System.
April 21: Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) — USDOT announced this new program which provides $6.4 billion in formula funding for states and localities over five years. It will fund a wide range of projects designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from on-road highway sources — from installing infrastructure to support the electrification of freight vehicles or personal cars, to constructing Bus Rapid Transit corridors, to facilitating micro-mobility and biking. Under the CRP, states must also develop carbon reduction strategies in consultation with Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
March 30: Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Guidance — FHWA has issued a memorandum providing background information and guidance to clarify eligibility, transfer, and other requirements for the Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside program. The program funds many smaller-scale but critically important multimodal transportation projects at both the State and local level including pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments, among others. It is a key program for helping States build Complete Streets.
March 30-April 12: Webinars/Recordings on Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) Opportunity — These informational webinars cover how to apply for FY2022 MPDG opportunities consisting of grants in three programs — MEGA, INFRA and Rural. The MPDG opportunities were announced on March 23 (see below).
March 29: Safety Grant Program Fact Sheet -
The USDOT recently released a fact sheet on the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program newly established under the IIJA/BIL. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is anticipated to be released in spring of 2022, likely in May.
Register to apply for Federal grants — A
SAM registration is required for any entity to bid on and get paid for federal contracts or to receive federal funds. These include for-profit businesses, nonprofits, government contractors, government subcontractors, state governments, and local municipalities. Guidance and information on grants is at
Grants.gov.
Resources and links
RAISE grant info
- RAISE Program Notice Released - The White House announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) released by USDOT for the 2022 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) competitive grant program. The FY2022 application deadline was April 14.
- The RAISE program was previously called BUILD, and prior to that, TIGER. New Jersey previously received a number of grants through these programs The announcement includes a link to to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and to the USDOT's tool for helping RAISE applicants determine if their potential project location is considered as a historically disadvantaged community. It includes 797 census tracts in NJ classified as "Transportation Disadvantaged."
- Funds for the FY 2022 RAISE grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for surface transportation infrastructure projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. BIL specifies that the minimum RAISE grant award is $5 million, except that for projects located in rural areas, the minimum award size is $1 million. Grants may not be greater than $25 million. However these minimums don't apply to additional funds added to the program — see amendments.
- Recordings of RAISE grant webinars — These recordings delve into various aspects of the RAISE application process. These webinars are a resource for prospective RAISE applicants, as the webinars come from the funding source and share the guidance of USDOT.
Multimodal Project grant (MPDG) info
- March 23 — Announcement of Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant Funding — IIJA established two new programs and reauthorized one preexisting program which are being solicited together for projects of regional and national significance. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is here. The programs are:
- Mega: $1 billion of FY 2022 funding for the National Infrastructure Project Assistance grants program, known as the Mega Grants program;
- INFRA: Approximately $1.55 billion in FY 2022 funding to be made available for the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects grants program, known as INFRA;
- Rural: $300 million in FY 2022 funding for the Rural Surface Transportation Grant program, known as Rural.
- According to AMPO, while they remain separate programs for the purposes of award, the programs share many common characteristics, including a larger project size, multimodal eligibility, and many shared statutory project requirements. Project Sponsors with additional questions or interested in receiving additional assistance are invited to visit the Department's Grants homepage and look for MPDG grants. The Department has published a Guide to Benefit Cost Analysis, FAQs, and will be hosting several webinars in the coming weeks
- Webinars — These informational webinars cover how to apply for FY2022 MPDG opportunities consisting of grants in three programs — MEGA, INFRA and Rural.
Other Grant Programs
- March 7 — Grants to Modernize Bus Fleets and Facilities - The White House and USDOT announced the availability of approximately $1.47 billion in competitive grant funds to help modernize bus fleets and facilities across the country,
- February 23 — Port Grants Announcement - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced nearly $450 million in newly available grant funding for port-related projects through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). These grants can help ports expand capacity and improve the movement of goods through supply chains.
- February 10 — EV Charging network announcement - The program will provide nearly $5 billion over five years to help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along the Interstate Highway System. A second program later this year will fund EV infrastructure in broader areas.
Federal guidance/Fact sheets
- The White House has released a Fact Sheet (pdf), highlighting 25 funding opportunities for local governments in the BIL.
- It has also issued a 465-page Guidebook (pdf) for state and local leaders. The guidebook contains information on upcoming transportation programs, as well as energy, environment, broadband, solid waste management, recycling, and other programs. In many places, the guidebook provides more detail on schedule, funding, etc. than the fact sheet
- Register to apply for Federal grants - A SAM registration is required for any entity to bid on and get paid for federal contracts or to receive federal funds. These include for-profit businesses, nonprofits, government contractors, government subcontractors, state governments, and local municipalities. Guidance and information on grants is at Grants.gov.
- Summary of Federal Funding for EV Charging Infrastructure - This 16-page publication summarizes the various federal programs that fund and support expansion of electric vehicle charging, focusing on the National Highway System.
Federal Agency websites
- White House Build.Gov - The administration's main site on the law and resources. The guidebook to the law will be updated and posted to this site as the law is implemented.
- FHWA webpage on the law — The site provides a "one-stop shop" for Federal Highway Administration's implementation of the Act, including everything from fact sheets and funding notices to guidance, regulations, and presentations
- FTA webpage on the law — The site covers the Federal Transit Administration's implemention of the Act which authorizes up to $108 billion for public transportation – the largest federal investment in public transportation in the nation’s history.
Other info/resources/links
- NJ TransAction Presentation — Opportunities Abound: The IIJA and the Future of Transportation Investment, April 26, 2022
- NARC Summary — The National Association of Regional Councils has prepared a summary of the law's provisions.
- NARC Presentation on IIJA - Article and link to presentation made by Erich Zimmermann, Deputy Director and Transportation Director of the National Association of Regional Councils at the annual meeting of the Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum on December 3
- White House fact sheet on benefits to New Jersey
- Recordings of past USDOT webinars about IIJA are posted on this youtube channel.
- FHWA New Jersey Administrator Robert Clark's presentation to the NJTPA Board on March 14, 2022.
- FHWA Issues Report to Congress on Complete Streets. This report provides an overview of current highway safety trends, and then provides a summary of FHWA activities that support complete streets projects. It discusses "opportunities and challenges as FHWA moves ahead with its effort to implement a Complete Streets design model."