More than $5 billion has been awarded to large bridge projects across the country, through a federal grants program. These infrastructure projects will keep many construction companies busy for years to come.
The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) competitive Bridge Investment Program grants will fund the reconstruction, repair, and restoration – using American-made materials – of 13 nationally significant bridges in 16 states. The funding is intended to improve the safety of these bridges, as well as make them more resilient to extreme weather events.
Below are the 13 Large Bridge Project Grants awarded in this round:
- The Oregon Department of Transportation (DOT) will receive $1.4 billion for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, connecting Portland and Vancouver, Wash., to replace two aging vertical lift bridges that carry I-5 over the Columbia River. The modern, seismically resilient, and multimodal replacement bridges will provide safe and accessible options for driving, walking, biking, rolling, and riding transit. The project will help reduce travel times and congestion along this critical corridor, improve safety and quality of life, and lower carbon emissions. This project was also awarded a $600 million Mega grant earlier this year.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will receive $993 million for the Sagamore Bridge Replacement Project in Cape Cod to replace the bridge.@Naya Na - adobe.stock.com
- The Massachusetts DOT will receive $993 million for the Sagamore Bridge Replacement Project in Cape Cod to replace the bridge, which experiences high crash rates and congestion, and improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and goods over the Canal. This project was also awarded a $372 million Mega grant earlier this year.
- The Alabama DOT will receive $550 million for the I-10 Mobile River Bridge Replacement and Bayway Multimodal Project in Mobile to improve safety, reliability, and mobility for residents in the project area. The improved bridge will support local small businesses and the national economy through a more efficient movement of goods along Interstate 10, a critical corridor for the country.
- The Pennsylvania DOT will receive $500 million for the I- 83 South Bridge Replacement Project in Harrisburg, to replace a bridge originally built in 1960, and widened in 1982, that carries more than 125,000 vehicles per day over the Susquehanna River. The bridge is the major cross-river connection in Downtown Harrisburg and is key to intermodal connectivity – ultimately linking Pennsylvania’s capital region with Baltimore.
- The Tennessee DOT will receive $394 million for the America’s River Crossing Project in Memphis and West Memphis, Ark., to replace the 75-year-old I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River. This is a nationally significant corridor for commerce and serves as a critical connector for residents, workers, and freight movement between Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. The new structure will add capacity and improve geometric design.
- The Rhode Island DOT will receive $251 million for the I- 95 15: Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s Economy Project in Providence to improve the condition of 15 bridges critical to the local economy. The project will support the safe movement of goods and travel of residents, connecting them to key neighborhoods throughout the city of Providence.
- The North Carolina DOT will receive $242 million for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement Project in Wilmington to replace a 54-year-old structure that carries US 17/US 76/US 421 across the Cape Fear River between New Hanover and Brunswick Counties – the fastest-growing counties in the state.
The North Carolina DOT will receive $242 million for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement Project in Wilmington.@Ajax9 - adobe.stock.com
- The South Carolina DOT will receive $175 million for the I-95 over Lake Marion Bridge Replacement Project in Santee to replace four bridges that were constructed in 1968 over Lake Marion as part of I-95 – a nationally and regionally significant corridor and a major north-south artery. The project will reduce congestion and maintenance costs and improve safety.
- The Oklahoma DOT will receive $124 million for the Roosevelt Memorial Bridge Replacement Project in Byran and Marshall counties to replace the structure that carries US-70 over Lake Texoma. The bridge was constructed in 1942, with a design that is now outdated to meet current traffic needs and future traffic demand. The project will improve the efficiency and reliability of the movement of people and freight, increase resiliency to flooding, and increase safety through a new pedestrian and bicycle crossing.
- Miami-Dade County will receive $101 million for the Venetian Causeway Bridge Replacement Project in Miami, Fla., to replace 11 Venetian Causeway bridges that were originally built in 1926, with newer, more resilient infrastructure anticipated to last 50 years, meeting updated design codes and improving safety.
- The West Virginia DOT will receive $88 million for the Market Street Bridge Replacement Project in East Steubenville, W.V. and Steubenville, Ohio, to replace a historic bridge built in 1904. The damaged bridge cannot meet current capacity and is at the end of its useful life. The replacement bridge will allow for the safer and more efficient movement of people and goods along this regionally significant route, connecting communities in the region and supporting its economic livelihood.
The West Virginia DOT will receive $88 million for the Market Street Bridge Replacement Project in East Steubenville, W.V. and Steubenville, Ohio.@Sherman Cahal - adobe.stock.com
- The New Mexico DOT will receive $72 million for the Nogal Canyon Bridge Replacement Project in Socorro County, N.M., to replace the two bridges that carry Interstate 25 over Nogal Canyon in Socorro County. The existing truss bridges are deteriorating rapidly and are at the end of their useful life. The replacement bridges will be the signature bridges of New Mexico's interstate system, ensuring continued efficiency and mobility along this nationally significant corridor and supporting the economic competitiveness of the region and state.
- The Kansas DOT will receive $63 million for the 18th Street Bridge Replacement Project in Kansas City, Kan., to replace a major river crossing built in 1959 that has undergone numerous rehabilitations over its 60-year life, including emergency repairs to extend its service life. The replacement project is the most cost-effective solution, saving public dollars that would have gone towards costly repairs to the original bridge. The new bridge will provide accommodations for active transportation.
The 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 a maximum award of 50 percent of the total eligible project costs. Priority consideration is given to projects ready to proceed to construction. The program also funds projects that require pre-construction work and benefit from a multi-year grant agreement.
The Bridge Investment Program invests $40 billion over five years. More than 10,200 bridges are being rebuilt, repaired, or modernized.
Additional information on FHWA’s Bridge Investment Program, including Large Bridge Project Grants and Bridge Planning Grants, can be found here.
“For too long America let bridges fall into disrepair, which left people less safe, disrupted our supply chains, and cost people time and money - but now the Biden-Harris Administration is changing that with the biggest investment in our bridges since the Eisenhower era,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “There are currently about 3,000 fewer bridges in poor condition than when our administration began, and today we are proud to announce funding to repair or replace 13 of America's largest and economically significant bridges.”
“Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Bridge Investment Program, we are reinvesting in our infrastructure and ensuring vital connections for Americans who need to get to a job, a class, or a doctor,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “These grants are helping to advance critical bridge projects across the nation that will improve overall quality of life and ensure this country’s infrastructure works for everyone.”
