The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded over $2.2 billion to 162 projects across the United States through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. This year, RAISE grants were awarded to projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two territories. Included among the recipients are critical infrastructure projects sponsored by members of the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC).

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provided historic funding levels for various new and existing discretionary grant programs. Among these funding resources, CAGTC is particularly supportive of the large multimodal programs available to freight projects such as the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA), Mega, and RAISE programs as well as targeted investments through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, Bridge Investment Program, Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI), and Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). Each of these programs has unique goals and criteria to assist in fulfilling unmet project needs. The programs complement each other by offering diverse funding opportunities available to freight projects of varying size and project type.

While the BIL made significant progress by increasing funding availability, reliability, and program diversity, federal grant programs remain oversubscribed. According to USDOT, it received nearly 1,100 applications totaling $15 billion in funding requests for the fiscal year 2023 round of RAISE. Overall, there were $6.64 in requests this year for each $1 in available RAISE funding, further demonstrating the popularity of this program and the magnitude of infrastructure projects in need of federal investment.

“CAGTC has been a longstanding champion of competitive grant programs, which are essential to advancing freight infrastructure projects of national and regional significance,” said CAGTC President Leslie Blakey. “These projects are often difficult to fund through traditional formula programs due to their size and complexity. CAGTC strongly supports continued, strategic investments in supply chain infrastructure projects through federal discretionary funds made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

CAGTC recently conducted a survey of its membership, many of whom are responsible for developing and delivering large-scale supply chain infrastructure projects, to better understand their first-hand experiences with Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) implementation. The survey results underscored the importance of discretionary grants in addressing unmet freight project needs. Among the primary reasons for pursuing federal grant funding, survey respondents cited the unique nature of freight projects, which are often large, multimodal, and multi-jurisdictional.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Eliminating Barriers on North Watkins (Project ELBOW) will receive $13,200,000 to fund the design and reconstruction of the bridge over the Wolf River, which will be upgraded to seismic standards and increase accessibility during emergency and evacuation events.

“This is a critical project in North Memphis which will upgrade the bridge over the Wolf River to seismic standards for reliability in the future, said Dan Pallme, CAGTC Board Member and TDOT Assistant Chief of Environment and Planning/ Freight and Logistics Director. “In addition, multimodal accommodations for the 3.1-mile segment include: a separated bicycle lane, mid-block crossings, ADA improvements, and sidewalk improvements on the North Watkins Street corridor at Delano Avenue to North Parkway in this underserved community which will help with pedestrian safety and increase access to jobs, education, and healthcare services.”

The San Diego Association of Governments’ (SANDAG) Palomar Street Grade Separation: Improving Safety, Access, and Circulation will receive $21,510,491 to grade separate an existing street from a rail corridor that serves passenger and freight rail capacity, including right-of-way acquisitions and utilities relocation. The project will reduce emissions by reducing vehicle idling while rail vehicles pass.

“San Diego’s freight and passenger rail system keeps our residents, visitors, and economy moving. The Palomar Street rail crossing has been a notorious site for delays and accidents as a result of its at-grade rail crossing. SANDAG is very pleased that the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded us over $21 million to address the design of this crossing and ultimately make our rail network and streets safer and more efficient for all,” said Coleen Clementson, CAGTC Board Member and SANDAG Deputy CEO of Planning.

CAGTC congratulates these members on their successful grant applications.