Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program

The Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program, administered locally by the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA), is a federally-funded initiative designed to support a broad range of transportation projects. The STBG provides flexible funding that states and metropolitan planning organizations can allocate to improve the condition and performance of transportation infrastructure, including Federal-aid highways, bridges, tunnels, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and public transit capital projects such as intercity bus terminals. MAPA serves as the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Omaha-Council Bluffs region and is responsible for conducting a competitive selection process for funding awards under this program. MAPA’s STBG program supports transportation planning, design, and construction projects that contribute to regional mobility, accessibility, safety, and sustainability. Eligible project types include, but are not limited to, roadway maintenance and expansion, bridge improvements, transit asset replacement and expansion, and non-motorized transportation infrastructure such as bike lanes and pedestrian facilities. The program's broad scope enables regional stakeholders to address current and future transportation needs across multiple modes. For the current cycle, a call for projects was opened on October 29, 2025, with a submission deadline of January 17, 2026. Applications are accepted for amendments to existing projects previously approved under the STBG program. New applications are not accepted in this round; only amendments to existing projects under this program, along with other programs like Transportation Alternatives and Carbon Reduction, are currently eligible. The application materials and policy guide are available through MAPA’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) portal, which outlines submission steps and eligibility requirements. Following submission, applications will be evaluated by selection committees, with public comment occurring between February 5 and March 5, 2026. Selection meetings will take place from March 24 through April 25, 2026, after which selected projects will be incorporated into MAPA’s draft TIP. This draft will be reviewed by MAPA’s Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) and Board of Directors in May 2026, followed by a public review and final state-level approval in June 2026. Award announcements and publication of selected projects are scheduled for July 11, 2026. Applicants or interested parties may contact MAPA via transportation@mapacog.org or by phone at 402-444-6866. While a specific STBG application PDF is not provided, relevant documents and deadlines can be accessed via the TIP section on MAPA’s official website. The STBG program operates on a recurring annual cycle and continues to support the development of integrated, multimodal transportation systems within the region.

Ensure project amendments clearly articulate regional transportation benefit and consistency with MAPA planning priorities.