FEATURE
Preparing for Infrastructure Act Funding
Understand programs that fit city priorities by Kent Moore American Structurepoint
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A
new era of infrastructure funding is upon us as programs from the massive Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) launch. While the $864 billion IIJA addresses several sectors, transportation remains the primary focus and received 68% of the available funds. To be successful, cities should be proactive and organized and should identify projects best meeting each program’s requirements. IIJA distributes funding through new and expanded existing competitive and formula-based funds. According to the Brookings Institution, 76.4% of available funding goes to state-administered formula funding programs. This statistic is important to remember as resources are allocated for funding application efforts. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will receive an additional $13.3 billion over five years in formula funding. This amount is a 26% increase over the typical annual formula distribution. The table below shows other Florida formula distributions. While most IIJA funding is distributed via formula to states, about 86 new competitive funding programs spring from IIJA. Two interesting programs for Florida agencies are a $12.5 billion bridge improvement program and a $6 billion Safe Streets and Roads for All program reducing crashes and fatalities, especially for cyclists and pedestrians. WHAT FLORIDA CITIES CAN DO TO PREPARE
1. Research new competitive funding programs to identify fund-
ing streams to target. Be aware of application deadlines.
Florida Formula Funding Over Five Years SECTOR
AMOUNT
Bridges and Roads
$13.3 billion
Public Transit
$2.8 billion
Airports
$1.2 billion
Resilience for Transportation Systems
$364 million
Transportation-Related Emissions
$320 million
Water Infrastructure
$275 million
Electric Vehicle Charges
$198 million
Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Efforts
$103 million
Highway Safety Programs
$100 million
Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation bit.ly/3htyV6x and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency bit.ly/3vpNxvX
QC
2. Identify local projects matching up to one or several available
IIJA funding types.
3. Prioritize projects based on need and the probability of re-
ceiving funds. If you have a capital improvement plan or capital improvement program, consult your prioritized project list. Look for projects fitting the requirements of existing and new programs. 4. Support local funding match. This step will be critical for grant application credibility. Display local support for project funding through written declaration, such as a resolution, from the fiscal body. This declaration will show elected leadership and community support for appropriating local matches for priority projects if they receive federal funding. 5. Work closely with your metropolitan planning organization (MPO) to get your road, highway and bridge projects priori-
tized on your MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). MPOs are expected to receive additional funding.
6. Begin early project scoping, preliminary design and environmental processes for highest priority projects in advance of
application. This step will show reviewing authorities that IIJA’s accelerated delivery requirements will be achieved. 7. Assign grant application resources strategically. Because IIJA’s formula funding opportunities are more plentiful, communities should be selective when assigning resources toward lower probability competitive dollars versus formula dollars. 8. Contact your local FDOT district representative for information about the formula-based funding headed to local entities. Make a case for your priority projects. Important: Federal guidance issued in the American Rescue Plan Act (APRA) final rule effective April 1, 2022, increases flexibility to use this funding for design activities and as a match on federal grants. This change gives local governments an increased ability to start design and environmental preparation to better position themselves to receive IIJA funding. To learn more about IIJA funding programs, go to bit.ly/fundingFL or scan the QR code. Kent Moore is a Vice President and partner with American Structurepoint, a multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm. He can be reached at kmoore@structurepoint.com. QC SECOND QUARTER 2022 | QUALITY CITIES 43
