Fiscal Year 2026 Type 3 Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Competitive Grant Program

The Type 3 Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Competitive Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration. This program is designed to address infrastructure needs related to county-owned bridges that intersect with water conveyance structures managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation. The initiative reflects federal priorities to improve critical infrastructure, enhance safety, and support economic activity by ensuring reliable transportation networks over federally significant water systems. The primary purpose of the program is to fund the replacement or rehabilitation of eligible Type 3 bridges. These bridges are defined as non-federal bridges over 20 feet in length, or smaller bridge-like structures between 6 and 20 feet, that cross dams, canals, or other water conveyance infrastructure owned by the Bureau of Reclamation. The program emphasizes improving bridge condition, maintaining water delivery systems, and enhancing the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. Projects must meet eligibility requirements under the Federal Lands Access Program and demonstrate alignment with federal transportation and infrastructure goals. Funding under this program is provided through cost-reimbursable grants, with federal funding covering up to 100 percent of eligible project costs. There is no minimum cost share requirement, which significantly reduces financial barriers for eligible applicants. While total program funding is up to 25 million dollars for the fiscal cycle, individual award amounts are flexible, with no strict minimum or maximum, though an administrative ceiling of 25 million dollars is noted. Applicants are encouraged to include scalable project components to allow partial funding if full funding is not available. Eligibility is limited to county governments or equivalent local government entities that own qualifying bridges. These bridges must be located in one of seventeen specified western states where Bureau of Reclamation infrastructure exists. Applicants must demonstrate ownership of the bridge, confirm its classification as a Type 3 structure, and verify that it crosses a qualifying water conveyance structure. Additional eligibility conditions include compliance with federal regulations and coordination with state departments of transportation when applicable. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and must include standard federal forms such as SF-424 and associated budget and certification documents. A required application template must also be completed and attached, detailing project scope, budget, schedule, and alignment with evaluation criteria. The evaluation process includes merit-based review across criteria such as bridge condition, water delivery improvements, and transportation efficiency, as well as an assessment of project readiness including technical feasibility, financial completeness, and permitting risk. The application window opens on June 2, 2026, and closes on July 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be announced in late August 2026. Following selection, recipients enter into grant agreements and must comply with federal reporting, performance measurement, and regulatory requirements. This program does not specify a recurring cycle but may be repeated subject to future appropriations. Applicants are encouraged to review all submission requirements carefully to ensure completeness and eligibility.

Provide strong data-supported justification for bridge condition and water delivery impacts; include scalable project options; ensure completeness and technical readiness; align with merit criteria including safety and efficiency