Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP)
General Grant Program Information
The purpose of the CHBP is to provide funding for highway bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects on public roads that demonstrate cost savings by bundling multiple highway bridge projects (Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2026, Pub. L. 119-75). Eligible phases of work must include construction; however, an application may also include environmental clearance, preliminary engineering, and final design. (23 U.S.C. § 144(j)).
Eligibility Information
Eligible applicants under FY 2026 CHBP are States with:
- A population density of less than 115 individuals per square mile, or a population of less than 1.1 million individuals; and
- Have less than 26 percent of total bridges classified as in good condition or have greater than or equal to 4.9 percent of total bridges classified as in poor condition.
Eligible applicants are the States of Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. States that are eligible to receive no less than $32.5 million include Iowa, Maine, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and West Virginia.
Awards will be made only for highway bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects on public roads that demonstrate cost savings by bundling multiple highway bridge projects. (Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2026, Pub. L. 119-75).
Awards will be made only to an eligible State DOT. Applications for projects to be delivered by a non-State DOT entity must be submitted by the eligible State DOT for the State in which the project is located. The State DOT must be listed as the primary point of contact (POC) and recipient for purposes of financial administration of the project.
Eligible phases of work must include construction; however, an application may also include environmental clearance, preliminary engineering, and final design.
Funding Information
This NOFO will award up to $350 million in FY 2026 funding via cost reimbursable grants.
The actual amount available to be awarded under this notice will be subject to the availability of funds.
Eligible States with greater than 14 percent of total bridges classified in poor condition are to receive no less than $32.5 million, provided the State submits eligible application(s) with a total value that meets or exceeds $32.5 million. There is no minimum award amount for States that do not meet this condition.
No State shall be awarded more than $55 million.
Under FY 2026 CHBP, the Federal share of the cost is in accordance with 23 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 120. Applicants that do not provide at least the minimum non-Federal cost share will be classified as ineligible.
Contact Information
Disclaimer:
The Dashboard provides users with a high-level overview of relevant Federal discretionary grant programs. The information in the Dashboard is maintained as a secondary resource and may not be updated with the most recent changes to each program's primary guidance materials. Accordingly, please refer to the Federal grant-making agency for the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on a grant opportunity in the Dashboard.