Rubberized Pavement Grant Program

The Rubberized Pavement Grant Program is administered by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, known as CalRecycle. This state agency is responsible for managing waste reduction, recycling initiatives, and environmental sustainability programs across California. The program specifically targets the diversion of waste tires from landfills, addressing environmental hazards such as illegal tire dumping while simultaneously supporting the development of markets for recycled tire materials. By incentivizing the use of rubberized pavement products, the program aligns environmental protection goals with infrastructure development. The primary purpose of the program is to promote the use of recycled-content surfacing materials derived from California-generated waste tires. It focuses on encouraging first-time or limited users to adopt rubberized pavement technologies in public infrastructure projects. Eligible project types include Rubberized Asphalt Concrete hot-mix applications and Rubberized Chip Seal treatments. These materials must incorporate crumb rubber sourced from waste tires processed within California, ensuring that the program directly supports the state recycling economy. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, with a total allocation of over six million dollars available for the fiscal cycle. Individual awards are capped at specific limits depending on application type and applicant category, including higher caps for tribal entities and regional collaborations. Funding amounts are determined based on the volume of rubberized material used, geographic considerations, and the applicant prior participation in similar programs. The program allows multiple projects to be bundled into a single application to meet minimum material thresholds, which vary by project type and applicant classification. Eligibility is limited to public sector entities and qualifying tribal organizations. This includes cities, counties, special districts, joint powers authorities composed of eligible members, and certain state agencies under restricted project categories. Tribal entities must meet defined federal recognition or governance criteria. Applicants must own and maintain the project site, and all projects must be located within California and accessible to the public. Restrictions also apply to entities that have reached prior funding limits under related programs, particularly for chip seal projects. The application process requires submission through the Grants Management System by the specified deadline. Applicants may submit questions during a defined question and answer period, and are responsible for monitoring posted responses. Required documentation includes authorization materials and, if applicable, adoption of an environmentally preferable purchasing policy. Additional documentation may be submitted after the main application deadline within a secondary submission window. Evaluation and award decisions are based on program criteria including project scope, material usage, and alignment with program goals. CalRecycle reviews funding recommendations and issues conditional awards, typically within a few months following the application deadline. Successful applicants must adhere to all grant agreement requirements, including construction timelines, reporting obligations, and compliance with material specifications. The program operates on a fixed timeline, with applications due in early September and awards anticipated in December of the same year. Projects must begin construction after receiving authorization and must be completed by April 1, 2029. Final reporting and payment requests are also due by this date. While the program is tied to a specific fiscal year cycle, its structure and recurring nature suggest that similar funding opportunities may be offered in future cycles, supporting ongoing infrastructure and recycling initiatives throughout the state.