State Funding for Local Infrastructure
Funding to support local infrastructure improvements was a top priority for the State of Montana during the 2023 legislative session. Through the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 536, House Bill (HB) 267, and HB 76, there are new state funding resources available to support this historic investment in Montana’s roads and bridges. Local governments statewide will benefit from improved transportation infrastructure under this funding, and it will ensure continued safety and efficiency for the traveling public State Funding for Local Infrastructure | Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) (mt.gov).
SB 536 Funds Used for Off-System Bridge Replacements
The Off-System Bridge Strike Team, comprised of the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and the Montana Association of Counties (MACo), selected six bridges from six different counties for replacement using SB 536 funds. MDT will administer these projects to leverage future federal funding opportunities. These six bridge replacements exceed the goal of programming five bridge replacements by the end of 2023 under the Off-System Bridge Study and Implementation Plan.
The Strike Team also selected four bridges for replacement through County-led efforts using SB 536 funds. These selections were directly tied to bridge closures and the need to react quickly. Additional MDT-led bridge replacements are forthcoming over the coming months, using the same prioritization/selection process.
SB 536 Funds Used for Off-System Bridge Repairs
MDT continues to identify bridges that may benefit from a temporary repair or quick fix and is in the process of planning and executing repairs identified on the quick fix list. Additional repairs identified by Counties are brought forward to the Off-System Bridge Strike Team for funding consideration. There are currently 47 bridges from 21 counties with repairs in various stages of completion.
Discretionary Grant Support
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law on November 15, 2021, reauthorizing federal surface transportation programs for the next five years. IIJA includes funding to rebuild and reinvest in our railways, public transit infrastructure, the safety of our transportation system, and invest billions in transformational projects that will create good-paying union jobs, grow the economy, and make our transportation system safer and more resilient.
MDT and our partners continue to seek federal discretionary funding to address repairs and replacements for off-system bridges. MDT continues to apply for necessary funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) discretionary funding programs. Opportunities will likely include federal discretionary programs such as the Bridge Investment Program (BIP), the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program (INFRA), and the National Infrastructure Project Assistance program (Mega).
MDT has developed a Discretionary Grants Program website to share information, provide an easy form for local officials to request support, and help local entities understand and navigate the discretionary grant process Discretionary Grant Programs | Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) (mt.gov).
The Bridge Investment Program Grant
MDT applied to receive funding from the BIP Discretionary Grant program for fiscal year (FY) 24 funding. If awarded, “Investing in Montana’s Rural County Bridges” will replace 34 of Montana’s most vulnerable off-system bridges in 20 counties throughout the state. These bridges are currently closed (3), load posted (30), or are in danger of facing travel restrictions (1). The 34 bridges included in the scope of this Project have been identified as candidates for full bridge replacements. Each bridge was evaluated to determine a feasible replacement bridge including structure type, replacement cost, design, and construction engineering.
A hydraulic analysis was completed to determine if any of the bridges could be replaced with a culvert type structure. Environmental analysis highlighted waterway information identified endangered or threatened species, and revealed any historic bridges, as well as any additional environmental permits that may be needed during construction.
The Total Project Cost would be $68,650,000, with $54,920,000 of that being federal award funding.
The BIP is a competitive, discretionary program that focuses on existing bridges to reduce the overall number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition. It also expands applicant eligibilities to create opportunity for all levels of government to be direct recipients of program funds. Alongside states and federal lands management agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and local and tribal governments can also apply directly to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), making it easier to advance projects at the local level that meet community needs. BIP - Funding Programs - Management and Preservation - Bridges & Structures - Federal Highway Administration (dot.gov).
The Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation Grant
In August 2023, MDT applied to the PROTECT USDOT discretionary grant program. A submitted application was unsuccessful; however, MDT continues to apply for necessary funding through USDOT discretionary funding programs.
The PROTECT grant application included projects located in areas having shown recent susceptibility to damaging floods. These scour-critical bridges are at risk of failure during flood events due to fast-moving, turbulent water removing soil from around the bridge foundations. Twelve partner counties worked with MDT and MACo to submit a grant for a total of $29M in requested funding.
Though the grant application was unsuccessful, MDT is committed to partnering with Montana’s Counties and is investigating other funding sources to advance the replacement of the bridges contained in the grant application.