Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for Alaska
Want to know more about the IIJA and the specific formula and discretionary programs?
Surface Transportation Block Grants - limited new funding
New eligibilities, including but not limited to:
Wildlife-vehicle Collision Mitigation & Remediation
EV Charging Infrastructure
Rural Barge Landing, Dock, Waterfront Infrastructure
Travel & Tourism Enhancement
Ice Roads
Seasonal Roads
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and Other Safety Programs
Use of HSIP Funds. Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)-aligned, data-driven, uses proven safety measures
Prioritizing Safety in All Investments (not just HSIP, 23USC148(e)(2)(A) )
Safe System Approach: (1) Eliminate Death & Serious Injuries, (2) Anticipates & accommodates human errors, (3) Keeps crash impact energy on human body within tolerable levels
“Specified Safety Projects”, i.e. Non-Infrastructure
- 10% may be spent; still comport with SHSP and be data-driven
- Promotes Public Awareness of Safety, Facilitates Enforcement, Supports Emergency Services, Conduct Safety Research, Supports Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
Retroreflectivity. Can be used on any project; Doesn’t have to be in SHSP
High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Special Rule.
Older Drivers & Pedestrians Special Rule.
VRU Safety Special Rule.
Federal Highway Administration Announces More Funding and Flexibility for Key Highway Safety Program under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Announces Comprehensive National Roadway Safety Strategy.
Dedicated Bridge Program
May be used on any structure listed in National Bridge Inventory
New Bridges (on or off-system), Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection & Resurfacing
15% Minimum Set-Aside for Off-System (not maximum). Off-System is defined as a bridge on a route that has a functional classification of urban local road, rural local road, or rural minor collector.
Can be at 100% match and can be locally owned
Accommodation for Bicyclists & Pedestrians for bridges constructed under this program is required, so long as the bridge is located on a highway on which bicycles and pedestrians are permitted at each end of the bridge, and so long as FHWA determines safe accommodation can be provided at reasonable cost.
Check out the latest news from Federal Highway Administration on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill’s historic bridge investment.
Friday, January 14, 2022
Contact: Neil Gaffney
Tel: (202) 366-0660
DOT Announces Historic Bridge Investment
Under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Alaska to Receive $225 Million
More than $27 billion to states and tribal transportation facilities to fix an estimated 15,000 bridges nationwide
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation today launched the historic Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection, and Construction Program (Bridge Formula Program), made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program, to be administered by the Federal Highway Administration, represents the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system – providing $26.5 billion to states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico over five years and $825 million for Tribal transportation facilities. The total amount that will be available to states, D.C. and Puerto Rico in Fiscal Year 2022 is $5.3 billion along with $165 million for tribes. The FHWA also published initial guidance on the new program.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is thrilled to launch this program to fix thousands of bridges across the country – the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the Interstate highway system,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Modernizing America’s bridges will help improve safety, support economic growth, and make people’s lives better in every part of the country – across rural, suburban, urban, and tribal communities.”
“This record amount of funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will allow states and tribal governments to fix the bridges most in need of repair,” Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack said. “It will also modernize bridges to withstand the effects of climate change and to make them safer for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians. Every state has bridges in poor condition and in need of repair, including bridges with weight restrictions that may force lengthy detours for travelers, school buses, first responders or trucks carrying freight,” she added.
Alaska will receive $225 million under the new program to address highway bridge needs. The funding will help improve the condition of about 141 bridges in poor condition and to preserve and improve about 790 bridges in fair condition in the state.
Nationwide, the Bridge Formula Program is expected to help repair approximately 15,000 bridges. In addition to providing funds to states to replace, rehabilitate, preserve, protect, and construct highway bridges, the Bridge Formula Program has dedicated funding for Tribal transportation facility bridges as well as “off-system” bridges, locally owned facilities which are those not on the federal-aid highway system.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes an incentive for states to direct the new Bridge Formula Program funds to off-system bridges owned by a county, city, town or other local agency. While states generally must match federal funding with up to 20 percent state or local funding, the guidance issued today notes that federal funds can be used for 100 percent of the cost of repairing or rehabilitating such locally owned off-system bridges. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure, which will grow the economy, enhance U.S. competitiveness in the world, create good jobs, and make our transportation system more sustainable and equitable. Specific to the FHWA, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides more than $350 billion over five fiscal years for surface transportation programs.
FHWA released the first tranche of Bridge Formula Program funding to states for Fiscal Year 2022 in addition to the program guidance. For a map of bridges, please see https://infobridge.fhwa.dot.gov/ and USDOT FY 2022 State Bridges Funding and Condition (arcgis.com). Here is State-by-state BFP funding Fiscal Years 2022-2026.
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New Apportionment Programs: Carbon Reduction & PROTECT
Carbon Reduction projects, in general, to reduce emissions. Awaiting guidelines.
Carbon Reduction Strategic Plan
Establish or monitor Traffic Monitoring equipment
Project for public transportation
Advanced Transportation
Deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Replace Street Lighting
Deployment of Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV +charging)
Reduces emissions at ports and port electrification
PROTECT
In general, to improve resiliency throughout our transportation network. The department is awaiting guidelines.
Resiliency Plan
Surface Infrastructure
Community Projects
Coastal Infrastructure
Natural Infrastructure
EV Infrastructure
Aviation
Community Transportation Program (CTP)
Program Purpose
The Community Transportation Program (CTP) is a competitive surface transportation program held every 3 years and administered by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF). The CTP solicits community input, nominations, and project sponsorship. Development of projects includes identifying needs through public outreach and involvement, evaluating and scoring eligible projects by a board, and prioritizing and selecting projects to award.
Examples of CTP projects would be ones that make new or maintain or improve existing surface transportation facilities, enhance travel and tourism, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, improve air quality, and projects that connect different types of transportation such as roads and trails. The State of Alaska, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), Program Development, is putting together guidance documents to assist in applying for the competitive programs.
For more information on eligible entities and projects, as well as matching requirements click here.
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)
Program Purpose
The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Set-Aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program provides funding for a variety of generally smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; recreational trails; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments.
For more information on eligible entities and projects, as well as matching requirements click here.
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Setting girders on the 76th/Lore Overpass project, 2017.
M/V Leconte seen from the shoreline.
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