Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP)

The Competitive Highway Bridge Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration and represents a federal investment initiative focused on improving the condition, safety, and performance of highway bridge infrastructure. The program is authorized through federal appropriations and reflects a targeted effort to address bridge deterioration in states with relatively low population density or smaller populations and with measurable deficiencies in bridge conditions. It operates as a competitive grant program, requiring eligible applicants to submit detailed proposals for funding consideration. The primary purpose of the program is to support highway bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects on public roads, with a strong emphasis on cost efficiency achieved through bundling multiple bridge projects into a single application. Eligible project scopes must include construction activities but may also incorporate environmental clearance, preliminary engineering, and final design. The program prioritizes projects that extend the lifecycle of bridge infrastructure, improve structural conditions, and reduce long-term maintenance costs while maintaining safe and reliable transportation networks. Funding under this program is provided through cost-reimbursable grant agreements, with a total program funding amount of up to 350000000 dollars for the fiscal cycle. Individual state awards are capped at 55000000 dollars, with certain states eligible for a minimum allocation if they meet specific criteria related to bridge conditions. Federal cost share typically covers up to 80 percent of project costs, with higher shares available for interstate or qualifying states under sliding scale provisions. Applicants must provide the required non-federal match, and failure to do so results in ineligibility. Eligibility is restricted to specific states that meet statutory thresholds related to population density and bridge condition metrics. Only State Departments of Transportation are eligible to apply and administer projects, although they may submit applications on behalf of other entities within their jurisdiction. Projects must demonstrate cost savings through bundling and align with federal definitions of replacement and rehabilitation. Applications are limited to two per state, and each must include prioritization if multiple submissions are made. The application process requires submission through the Grants.gov platform and includes completion of several standard federal forms along with a required program-specific application template. Applicants must provide detailed project narratives, budgets, schedules, and supporting documentation sufficient to demonstrate eligibility and competitiveness. Applications are evaluated based on merit criteria including state of good repair, safety and mobility improvements, and innovation, as well as project readiness factors such as technical feasibility, financial completeness, and permitting risk. The application timeline opens on June 26, 2026 and closes on July 27, 2026 at 1159 PM Eastern Time. Award announcements are anticipated in mid-September 2026, and selected projects are expected to enter into grant agreements shortly thereafter. The period of performance generally ranges from one to four years, depending on project scope and readiness. Funds remain available for obligation through September 30, 2029, with an expenditure deadline extending to September 30, 2034. Program oversight includes strict compliance with federal regulations, reporting requirements, and performance monitoring. Recipients must submit semi-annual progress and financial reports and adhere to domestic sourcing requirements, cybersecurity considerations, and nondiscrimination policies. The program reflects a broader federal strategy to invest in core infrastructure, enhance safety, promote innovation, and support economic and community development through improved transportation systems.

Provide strong quantitative comparisons demonstrating cost savings from bundling; clearly address all merit criteria with data; ensure readiness documentation is complete and verifiable; demonstrate compliance with federal requirements