The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) approved 529 additional infrastructure grants totaling more than $2.9 billion.  

The announcement brings the total number of projects approved under the current administration to 1,065, representing approximately $10 billion in federal investment.

According to USDOT, these approvals mark a significant step toward reducing an inherited backlog of over 3,200 infrastructure grants that had not yet been obligated. The grants span multiple modes of transportation, including transit, rail, aviation, maritime, and highways.

Projects Span Multiple States and Modes

The newly approved grants include:

• $21 million for rail safety improvements near Ann Arbor, Mich.

• $12 million for the Manatee County Port Authority in Florida.

• $110 million for a bridge project to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

The Department reports that the release of these long-awaited funds is part of a broader initiative to expedite critical transportation investments nationwide.

Overview of Grant Distribution

The newly cleared grants are spread across various programs and agencies, including:

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

• All Stations Accessibility Program: 10 projects ($365M)

• Bus and Bus Facilities Competitive: 41 projects ($175M)

• Low or No Emission Bus Grants: 26 projects ($187M)

• Rail Vehicle Replacement: Three projects ($372M)

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

• CRISI (Rail Safety): Eight projects ($69M)

• Railroad Crossing Elimination: 22 projects ($28M)

• Federal-State Partnership: Three projects ($83M)

Office of the Secretary

• INFRA: Eight projects ($499M)

• Mega, BUILD, Rural Surface Transportation, and Safe Streets & Roads for All (SS4A): 255 projects ($69M)

USDOT officials stated that the grant approvals are part of a broader effort to accelerate project delivery and address regulatory processes that may contribute to cost or timeline inflation. The Department emphasized its focus on core infrastructure goals and has made changes to streamline permitting and reduce administrative requirements.

Some updates to the grant review process include removing specific regulatory provisions that the Department says were not required by Congress. These changes aim to reduce cost burdens and streamline project delivery, particularly for state and local transportation agencies.

For a full breakdown of the newly awarded grants by program and agency, visit transportation.gov.