FY22-FY24 Congestion Relief Program | 693JJ324NF00009

Opportunity Information: Apply for 693JJ324NF00009

The FY22-FY24 Congestion Relief Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) and codified at 23 U.S.C. 129(d). The program is designed to fund projects that tackle congestion in the nation s most congested large metro areas by emphasizing practical, operational, and multimodal strategies that make better use of existing transportation systems rather than simply adding capacity. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) covers funding made available for federal fiscal years 2022 through 2024, to be awarded competitively, with up to $150 million indicated in the notice (with the final award amount dependent on actual funds available).

A key eligibility boundary is geography and population: projects must be located in an urbanized area with a population greater than 1,000,000. Eligible applicants are public-sector entities that can sponsor and carry out work in those large urbanized areas, specifically States, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), cities, and municipalities. In other words, the program is aimed at big-region congestion problems where there is meaningful opportunity to shift travel behavior, improve system operations, and integrate multiple travel options.

The program s goals focus on reducing highway congestion and the related economic and environmental harm that congestion causes, including transportation emissions. FHWA also frames the program around optimizing existing highway capacity and improving the way highways and transit work together. The NOFO highlights three main pathways to achieve these outcomes: improving intermodal integration and system performance (how highways connect and operate with other modes), reducing or shifting peak-period travel (either to off-peak times or to non-highway modes such as transit), and using pricing approaches when applicable, including roadway or parking pricing strategies that may be implemented broadly or within designated zones (for example, targeted congestion areas).

FHWA s stated vision for the program is to fund operational improvement projects that increase the effectiveness of current infrastructure, expand and better integrate travel choices beyond single-occupant vehicles, and create real incentives for people to avoid peak-period travel or choose other modes. The NOFO also makes clear that applicants should address community impacts, including equity considerations. Specifically, projects should be designed and evaluated in a way that is equitable for travelers and affected communities, consider and mitigate safety impacts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fine particulate matter, and consider and mitigate potential adverse financial impacts on low-income drivers, which is especially relevant for pricing-based or fee-based strategies.

From an applicant support and administration standpoint, FHWA points applicants to the full NOFO text and an FAQ document under the opportunity s related attachments/documents, and encourages potential applicants to subscribe for updates so the Authorized Organizational Representative receives notifications. FHWA also offered an informational webinar on March 7, 2024, later posting both registration information and a recording link and passcode through amendments. Several amendments were issued to refine guidance: Amendment 4 (March 14, 2024) replaced the full NOFO text to clarify technical evaluation criteria in Section E, with changes specifically called out under Merit Criteria 1, 2, and 5; Amendment 3 (March 13, 2024) updated FAQ items 11, 13, and 14; and earlier amendments focused on webinar logistics and access to the recording.

Operationally, this is a competitive transportation grant (CFDA 20.205) under DOT/FHWA, listed as opportunity number 693JJ324NF00009. The original closing date shown is April 22, 2024, and the opportunity category is discretionary with the funding instrument type identified as a grant. Applicants are expected to rely on the NOFO s detailed instructions for application content, federal compliance requirements, and the merit-based selection framework, especially because the evaluation criteria language was explicitly revised via Amendment 4 to clarify how FHWA will score or judge applications.

• The DOT Federal Highway Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY22-FY24 Congestion Relief Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.205.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-04-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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