City Transportation Projects Funded by Federal Grants

What Are Federally Funded Transportation Projects?
Federally funded transportation projects are infrastructure improvements—such as road construction, bridge repair, sidewalk upgrades, and public transit expansions—that receive financial support from the U.S. Department of Transportation or other federal agencies.
These grants help cities and states:

• Improve public safety
• Reduce traffic congestion
• Upgrade aging infrastructure
• Expand access to mobility options

To receive federal funding, local governments must submit grant applications and comply with detailed federal transportation planning and construction standards.

How Are These Projects Funded?

• Federal grants (e.g., RAISE, STP, CMAQ, BUILD) typically cover 50% to 80% of the total cost.
• Local governments must contribute a local funding match from their budgets or other sources.
• Securing that local match can be challenging, especially in small cities or areas with limited tax revenue or staff capacity.

Why Do Transportation Projects Get Delayed?
Even with strong planning, many public infrastructure projects experience delays. Common causes include:

• Overly optimistic timelines in grant applications to meet scoring criteria
• Environmental reviews required by NEPA or Section 106 that take longer than expected
• Right-of-way (ROW) acquisition delays due to complex negotiations or legal issues
• Utility conflicts, including relocation of electric, water, or telecom lines
• Staff shortages in smaller municipalities with limited engineering or legal capacity
• Federal approvals (e.g., Buy America compliance or design exception review) that add time
• Construction market volatility, such as cost increases, labor shortages, supply chain issues, or rebidding needs

These factors contribute to schedule slippage, which can affect funding and project scope.

Why Railroad Reviews Cause Delays in Public Infrastructure Projects

Many federally funded transportation projects intersect with railroad crossings, rail corridors, or involve work near railroad-owned property. In these cases, local agencies must secure:

• Engineering reviews
• Access agreements
• Safety approvals from private railroad companies

Railroads are private entities with their own priorities and limited staff to process external requests. As a result, railroad review processes are:

• Often unpredictable
• May take months or even years
• Can delay project construction start dates
• Risk losing grant funds if deadlines are missed

Rail coordination remains one of the most significant external challenges to project delivery. Agencies plan early and maintain communication, but the pace of railroad response is often beyond local control.

What Happens If a Federally Funded Project Falls Behind Schedule?
If a project cannot meet its original timeline:

• The agency must submit a grant extension request to the federal funding agency (e.g., FHWA, FTA).
• Extensions must be justified and approved—they are not guaranteed.
• Missing key deadlines may result in: 

1. Loss of federal funding
2. Reduced eligibility for future transportation grants
3. Negative public perception or stakeholder concerns

Maintaining updated schedules and engaging proactively with partners is essential for keeping projects on track.

Why These Transportation Projects Matter
Despite the challenges, federally funded infrastructure projects are essential for:

• Safer roadways and crossings
• Better access to public transportation
• Job creation and economic development
• Long-term investment in community resilience

By working together—federal, state, and local partners deliver transportation improvements that benefit everyone. We appreciate the public’s patience and support as we manage complex projects that shape the future of mobility.
 

Federal Grant Programs Map

The projects displayed here have been funded through several federal grant programs, each designed to support different aspects of transportation infrastructure. Those are:

• ARRA - The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Used for transportation infrastructure projects, including transit capital improvements, and highway, street, and bridge construction.
• BRM - Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program - On-System Bridges: Used for bridge replacement and rehabilitation of bridges located on the federal-aid highway system.
• BRO - Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program - Off-System Bridges: Used for bridge replacement and rehabilitation of bridges located off the federal-aid highway system.
• BUILD - Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Discretionary Grant Program: Used for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact including roads, rails, transit, and ports.
• CMAQ - Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Project: Focuses on projects that improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion through initiatives like new bike lanes, traffic signal optimizations, and transit enhancements.
• HISP - Highway Safety Improvement Program: Funds projects aimed at reducing traffic accidents and improving roadway safety.
• MULT: Multiple sources of federal funding
• STBG - Surface Transportation Block Grant Program: Provides flexible funding that may be used by states and cities for projects that preserve and improve the conditions and performance on any federal-aid highway, bridge, or tunnels on any public road, pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, and capital transit projects.
  • STP-S - Surface Transportation Program - Suballocated: Provides funding for a broad range of transportation improvements, including road reconstruction, bridge repairs, and pedestrian infrastructure.
  • STP-E - Surface Transportation Program - Enhancement: Provides funding for a broad range of non-traditional transportation improvements, transportation alternatives, and highway and transit safety.
• TAP - Transportation Alternatives Program: Supports non-motorized transportation projects such as sidewalks, trails, and streetscape improvements to enhance walkability and connectivity.