National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Park Planning, Facilities and Lands Directorate

Washington, D.C.

December 2022

National Park Service Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law Transportation Grants Strategic Plan

Clockwise from left: An electric bus demonstrated at Zion National Park during project planning; US-41/Tamiami Trail at 

Everglades National Park; Road reconstruction at Yellowstone National Park. All three parks received funding for these projects 

through the Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program, one of the transportation grant programs provided 

for in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. (Source: NPS)
December 2022 | 2

Table of Contents

1 Background, Purpose, Goals & Objectives............................................................................................... 3

1.1 Background & Purpose..................................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Goals & Objectives............................................................................................................................ 4

2 Strategy & Target Outcomes.................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 Strategy Overview ............................................................................................................................ 5

2.2 Approach for NPS Direct Eligible Programs...................................................................................... 8

2.3 Approach for Partner Eligible Programs........................................................................................... 8

2.4 Approach for Partner Formula Programs......................................................................................... 8

3 Goal: Proactively Identify and Review Candidate Projects to Build Out a 5-year Flexible Program of 

Candidate Projects for BIL Transportation Grant Programs............................................................................. 9

3.1 Objective: Work with Regions and WASO Programs to Identify and Prioritize Candidate Projects 

that are in Alignment with NPS, DOI & DOT Priorities for BIL Transportation Grant Programs.................. 9

3.2 Objective: Employ Existing NPS Processes to Update the Flexible Program of Candidate Projects 

for BIL Transportation Grant Programs........................................................................................................ 9

4 Goal: Strategically Deliver Targeted Support for BIL Transportation Grant Proposal and Application 

Development for Success...............................................................................................................................10

4.1 Objective: Provide Integrated Transportation Planning Support to Develop Needs Before 

Pursuing BIL Transportation Grant Opportunities .....................................................................................11

4.2 Objective: Coordinate Grant Application Development for Nationally Competitive BIL 

Transportation Grant Programs in Collaboration with Regions and Parks................................................11

4.3 Objective: Support Regions and Parks by Developing a Toolbox of Resources.............................12

5 Goal: Develop Communications Tools to Share BIL Transportation Grant Program Information, 

Lessons Learned, and Track Successes...........................................................................................................13

5.1 Objective: Support NPS Employees by Providing BIL Transportation Grant Program Information 

and Lessons Learned ..................................................................................................................................13

5.2 Objective: Promote BIL Transportation Grant Opportunities and Successes in Public Forums.....14

5.3 Objective: Identify Need and Track Progress.................................................................................14

6 Appendix A: BIL Transportation Grants Workgroup...............................................................................16

7 Appendix B: Priority Program Strategies................................................................................................17

7.1 Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) ................................................17

7.2 Bridge Investment Program (BIP)...................................................................................................18

7.3 Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation 

Program (PROTECT)....................................................................................................................................19

7.4 Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program......................................................................................................19

7.5 Transportation Alternatives (TA)....................................................................................................20

7.6 Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP)............................................................................................20

7.7 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)..................................21

7.8 National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI).................................................22

8 Appendix C: Crosswalk of NPS, DOI and DOT Priorities..........................................................................24

 
3 | NPS BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan 

1 BACKGROUND, PURPOSE, GOALS & OBJECTIVES 

1.1 BACKGROUND & PURPOSE

The “Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA), also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

(BIL), authorizes $550 billion for surface transportation programs for Fiscal Years 2022 – 2026. BIL

provides comprehensive transportation legislation by building on many of the programs from the 2015 

Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or FAST Act, as well as the Biden Administration’s focus 

areas in climate change, resiliency, and resource protection, connecting diverse communities, and 

reinvesting in infrastructure to build back better. These focus areas are reflected in the NPS 

transportation priorities noted in the NPS State of Transportation brochure:

• Protect the Climate & Advance Resource Protection 

• Enhance Visitor Experience & Connect Diverse Communities 

• Reinvest in the System & Make Legacy Investments

With funding from BIL, the NPS is working to develop resilient, innovative, and equitable transportation 

systems, while also decreasing transportation emissions related to visitation and operations. The NPS 

will invest these funds to repair and upgrade transportation trails, transit systems, roads, bridges, and 

other critical transportation infrastructure. BIL increases NPS Federal Lands Transportation Program 

(FLTP) funding by over 20 percent to $1.7 billion over five years, to address NPS transportation needs 

across the nation. 

Strong connectivity between parks and surrounding 

communities improves modal choice, visitor enjoyment and 

safety. BIL provides a monumental opportunity to work with 

our community partners to provide equitable, climatefriendly, and high-quality transportation options to visitors. 

BIL creates new discretionary (competitive) grant programs

for which the NPS can directly compete. Additionally, BIL

provides a number of discretionary grant programs and new 

formula programs for which NPS partners are eligible 

applicants, making it imperative for the NPS to develop and 

strengthen partnerships with states and other eligible 

agencies to mutually champion significant projects in and 

around NPS sites which align well with the Administration’s 

focus areas. 

The NPS Park Planning Facilities & Lands (PPFL) Directorate 

provides support, resources, and technical assistance to 

regions and parks to take advantage of new opportunities

available in BIL, including those the NPS is directly eligible for, as well as those that require a partner

match. Success will rely on engagement from the planning, partnerships, and transportation 

communities across the NPS, as well as support from leadership at all levels. 

The NPS worked with partners 

to leverage over $400 million 

from similar past discretionary 

programs under the FAST Act.

Past successes include 

completion of the “missing link” 

of the Foothills Parkway, 

rehabilitation of the Arlington 

Memorial Bridge, electrification 

of Zion National Park’s transit 

fleet, and construction of bridges 

along the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) 

to restore natural water flow to 

the Everglades.
December 2022 | 4

The purpose of this plan is to guide how the NPS approaches grant funding opportunities in BIL over the 

next five years, articulating a strategy for identifying high priority projects for discretionary grant 

programs, working with partners to leverage funding opportunities for NPS transportation priorities, and 

building internal and external capacity to advance the NPS’s transportation goals. It describes how the 

NPS will prioritize the highest-value programs and projects using a proactive, comprehensive strategy.

This strategy will focus on advancing NPS transportation priorities, along with Department of the Interior

(DOI) and Department of Transportation (DOT) goals, as outlined in Appendix C: Crosswalk of NPS, DOI 

and DOT Priorities.

1.2 GOALS & OBJECTIVES 

Goals and objectives form the organizational backbone of this strategic plan. They were collaboratively 

developed with the BIL Transportation Grants Workgroup (see Appendix A: BIL Transportation Grants 

Workgroup) through a series of meetings and feedback forms. The support and resources outlined in the

goals and objectives will facilitate regions and parks in effectively working with partners to leverage BIL 

funding opportunities for NPS transportation priorities.

1.2.1 Goal: Proactively identify and review projects to build out a 5-year flexible program of candidate 

projects for BIL transportation grant programs 

Objective: Work with regions and Washington Support Office (WASO) programs to identify and 

prioritize candidate projects that are in alignment with NPS, DOI & DOT priorities for BIL

transportation grant programs

Objective: Employ existing NPS processes to update the flexible program of candidate projects

for BIL transportation grant programs

1.2.2 Goal: Strategically deliver targeted support for BIL transportation grant proposal and application 

development for success 

Objective: Provide integrated transportation planning support to develop needs before pursuing

BIL transportation grant opportunities

Objective: Coordinate grant application development for nationally competitive BIL

transportation grant programs in collaboration with regions and parks

Objective: Support regions and parks by developing a toolbox of available resources

1.2.3 Goal: Develop communications tools to share BIL transportation grant program information, 

lessons learned, and track successes 

Objective: Support NPS employees by providing BIL transportation grant program information 

and lessons learned

Objective: Promote BIL transportation grant opportunities and successes in public forums

Objective: Identify needs and track progress
5 | NPS BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan 

2 STRATEGY & TARGET OUTCOMES 

2.1 STRATEGY OVERVIEW 

The NPS is pursuing an overarching strategy designed to 

maximize benefits to the NPS by deploying and focusing staff 

time, support, and technical assistance on the highest-value, 

prioritized programs and projects. Successful execution of this 

strategy will build internal and external capacity to advance 

the NPS’s transportation priorities. Based on projects 

submitted from regions (see section 3 for details), PPFL, with 

input from the BIL Transportation Grants Workgroup, 

developed a flexible BIL Transportation Grants Program of 

Candidate Projects, matching prioritized projects to the grant 

programs using a comprehensive approach based on: 

• NPS transportation priorities (see Appendix C: 

Crosswalk of NPS, DOI and DOT Priorities) 

• Project competitiveness according to program statutory eligibility and merit criteria 

• Project readiness

• Geographic balance

• Opportunity to defray costs to core programs, including FLTP and others

The program of candidate projects establishes an initial plan for which projects are under consideration 

for submission to grant programs across the five years of BIL. Both the strategy in this document as well 

as the program of candidate projects for BIL transportation grant programs will be revised as the NPS 

learns more about the new grant programs, NPS transportation needs evolve, and the NPS engages with 

partners to identify opportunities for collaboration. 

To guide and encourage success, the NPS developed two targets. First, the NPS aims to submit at least 

30 applications for nationally competitive grant programs, including those for which the NPS is directly 

eligible and those requiring a partner. Second, through these 30 applications, as well as others 

submitted by regions or parks for state-administered programs, the NPS aims to receive at least $500 

million in awarded funds.

2.1.1 NPS Decision Making 

• PPFL: For nationally competitive grant programs for which the NPS is directly eligible (see Table 

1), PPFL will make final determinations as to which projects are submitted but will only put 

forward projects that the applicable region and park support. This is to ensure that only the 

highest priority and most competitive projects are submitted to these highly selective, national 

grant programs, and so that NPS projects do not inadvertently and unnecessarily compete 

against each other. PPFL, regions, and parks will work together to identify the required matching

The strategy in this document, as 

well as the program of candidate 

projects for BIL transportation 

grant programs, will be revised as 

the NPS learns more about the 

new grant programs, NPS 

transportation needs evolve, and 

the NPS engages with partners to 

identify opportunities for 

collaboration
December 2022 | 6

funds for each application. PPFL concurrence will be 

required for NPS support to partner applications for 

nationally competitive programs that NPS is directly 

eligible, including NPS letters of support, matching funds, 

and technical assistance to develop applications. The key 

to obtaining support is early and consistent 

communication among PPFL, regions, and parks.

• Regions: NPS regions, in collaboration with parks, will be 

responsible for deciding which projects to submit for state-administered programs. Regions will 

coordinate all programs with “Regions” listed in the “NPS Coordination Lead” column in Table 1. 

Regions will need to communicate to PPFL about these projects so the status of each application 

can be tracked servicewide. More information is provided on project tracking in section 5.3.2.

2.1.2 BIL Transportation Grant Opportunities 

Table 1 provides an overview of the BIL transportation grant

programs applicable to the NPS. The NPS will focus primarily on 

those listed as medium or higher under “Chance of Success.” This 

table also indicates which NPS office is responsible for decision

making and providing parks with technical assistance on grant 

application development. For further detail on the technical 

assistance process and responsibilities, see section 4.2.1. 

The NPS will submit at 

least 30 applications over 

the life of BIL for 

nationally competitive 

programs, directly and 

with partners

The NPS aims to receive

at least $500M over the 

life of BIL for successful 

NPS and partnership

grant applications
7 | NPS BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan

Table 1: BIL Transportation Grant Programs Applicable to the NPS

Program 

Types Program

Available 

Annually 

(up to)

Chance 

of 

Success

NPS 

Coord. 

Lead

Target Project Types 

NPS

Direct 

Eligible 

Programs

Nationally Significant 

Federal Lands and Tribal 

Projects (NSFLTP)

$177.5M 

for FLMAs 

(only 

$65M 

FY22)

Very 

High PPFL

One guaranteed project per year in 

park with >3M visitors; projects with 

compliance complete and total cost 

>$12.5M

Bridge Investment 

Program $2.5B Med PPFL

Bridge projects in poor/fair condition 

over $15M on National Bridge 

Inventory; planning, design, 

compliance, or construction costs 

eligible

Promoting Resilient 

Operations for 

Transformative, Efficient, 

and Cost-Saving 

Transportation Program 

(PROTECT) – joint with 

state

$280M Med PPFL

Resilience improvements, vulnerability 

assessments, transportation and 

emergency response strategies, 

protection of surface transportation 

assets, includes planning

Wildlife Crossing Pilot 

Program $70M Med PPFL

Projects that reduce the number of 

wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve 

habitat connectivity

Pollinator Friendly 

Practices on Roadsides 

and Highway Rights-ofWay Program

$2M High PPFL

Projects <$150,000 that benefit 

pollinators on roadsides and highway 

rights-of-way

Infrastructure For 

Rebuilding America 

(INFRA) - joint with state

$1.6B Low PPFL

National Highway System projects 

>$20M that advance climate change, 

environmental justice, and equity

Transportation 

Alternatives (TA) $1.44B Med Regions

Small-scale transportation planning, 

design, or construction projects with a 

focus on trails

Partner 

Eligible 

Programs

Federal Lands Access 

Program (FLAP) $300M High Regions Projects >$100,000 that improve access to federal lands

Rebuilding American 

Infrastructure with 

Sustainability and Equity 

(RAISE)

$2.275B Med

Regions 

with 

PPFL

Road, trail, rail, port projects >$1M - 

$25M

Rural Surface 

Transportation Grant 

Program

$400M Low 

Regions 

with 

PPFL

Rural projects <$25M

Discretionary Grant 

Program for Charging and 

Fueling Infrastructure

$500M Low Regions EV charging and alternative fuel 

infrastructure projects <$15M

Safe Streets and Roads 

for All (SS4A) Program $1B Low Regions Initiatives to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries
December 2022 | 8

Program 

Types Program

Available 

Annually 

(up to)

Chance 

of 

Success

NPS 

Coord. 

Lead

Target Project Types 

Partner 

Formula 

Programs

National Electric Vehicle 

Infrastructure Formula 

Program (NEVI)

$1B Med

Regions

with 

PPFL

Work with states to inform alternative 

fuel corridors and coordinate on 

funding for installation of charging 

stations on federal lands

NPS DirectBenefit 

Formula 

Program

Construction of Ferry 

Boats and Ferry Terminal 

Facilities Formula 

Program (FBP)

$182M High

Regions

/Parks 

with 

PPFL

Construction of ferry boats and ferry 

terminal facilities

2.2 APPROACH FOR NPS DIRECT ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS 

PPFL will lead the coordination and development of applications for the priority programs for which the

NPS is directly eligible to apply. For these nationally competitive grant programs, PPFL will make final 

determinations as to which projects are submitted in each round. This will entail close coordination

between PPFL, regions, parks, and technical assistance providers. Support from partners is also critical to

the success of these applications, and the NPS will engage with these partners to gather letters of 

support, and in some cases matching funds. Two programs, PROTECT and INFRA, require that any NPS

application be jointly submitted with a state, and thus will require extensive coordination with those 

states before and throughout the application development process.

2.3 APPROACH FOR PARTNER ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS 

The NPS will continue to foster partnerships with state departments of transportation, metropolitan

planning organizations (MPOs), regional planning organizations (RPOs), local communities, and other 

eligible applicants for BIL programs listed under “Partner Eligible Programs” in Table 1. The NPS can

encourage partners to apply for these programs to support mutually beneficial projects. PPFL may

provide support in the form of integrated transportation planning support and/or technical assistance to

develop applications, NPS letters of support, and potentially matching funds.

2.4 APPROACH FOR PARTNER FORMULA PROGRAMS 

While formula programs do not require applications, the NPS will need to coordinate closely with states 

at various stages to ensure that parks and visitors benefit from this new funding source in BIL. The NPS 

has developed an initial strategy for this engagement, summarized in the National Electric Vehicle 

Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI) section 7.8 in Appendix B: Priority Program Strategies. 
9 | NPS BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan 

3 GOAL: PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY AND REVIEW CANDIDATE PROJECTS TO 

BUILD OUT A 5-YEAR FLEXIBLE PROGRAM OF CANDIDATE PROJECTS FOR 

BIL TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROGRAMS 

3.1 OBJECTIVE: WORK WITH REGIONS AND WASO PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND PRIORITIZE 

CANDIDATE PROJECTS THAT ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH NPS, DOI & DOT PRIORITIES FOR BIL 

TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROGRAMS 

3.1.1 Outreach to Parks and Regions 

On March 15, 2022, the Associate Director of PPFL, and the Associate Director of Partnerships and Civic 

Engagement sent a memo to the Regional Directors, Deputy Regional Directors, and Associate Directors 

to request the identification of projects that could potentially be good candidates for BIL transportation

discretionary grants. 

The types of projects requested in the call included projects that address climate and severe weather 

resiliency, those that connect to underserved gateway communities, transit fleet replacement and 

electric vehicle charging infrastructure, wildlife crossing projects, and traditional NPS bridge and 

roadway projects. The NPS regions submitted over 360 projects for PPFL consideration.

3.1.2 Project Screening 

The WASO Transportation Branch reviewed the project submissions from the regions and crossedreferenced these with other data points including the FLTP NPS Multiyear Program (FLTP Multiyear), 

threatened and endangered species, transit vehicle recapitalization needs in the National Transit 

Inventory, Road Inventory Program (RIP), Bridge Inspection Program (BIP), National Bridge Inventory, 

National Highway System, and PMIS statements. Review of these project lists and management systems 

provided additional information to refine the flexible program of candidate projects. 

The projects were screened using the following criteria to identify priority projects for consideration:

• Alignment with NPS and DOT priorities (see Appendix C: Crosswalk of NPS, DOI and DOT 

Priorities) 

• Project timing and compliance (if required)

• Budget size is appropriate for grant program

These criteria informed the flexible program of candidate projects along with additional review of 

projects through the lens of DOT priorities such as promoting safe, affordable, accessible, and 

multimodal access while reducing transportation-related disparities and tackling the climate crisis. 

3.2 OBJECTIVE: EMPLOY EXISTING NPS PROCESSES TO UPDATE THE FLEXIBLE PROGRAM OF 

CANDIDATE PROJECTS FOR BIL TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROGRAMS 

The primary vehicle for updating the flexible BIL Transportation Grants Program of Candidate Projects

will be through the existing Servicewide Comprehensive Call (SCC) process and documentation in the 

Project Management Information System (PMIS). The SCC guidance, Transportation Grants, will continue 
December 2022 | 10

to be used for BIL transportation grants. It will also be important to evolve the SCC guidance and 

program of candidate projects to reflect lessons learned during each grant round.

In addition to the candidate projects submitted from the regions, the following resources can also be rereviewed for identification of potential projects:

• FLTP Multiyear

• Unfunded transportation projects

• Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) / Line-item Construction (LIC) funded projects

• Category III unconstrained project list

• FHWA structures (bridge) recommendations

3.2.1 Engagement with Regions and Parks 

Through summer 2022, PPFL engaged further with the regional transportation program coordinators to 

refine the BIL Transportation Grants Program of Candidate Projects. There will be ongoing engagement 

with the regional transportation coordinators on nationally competitive grant applications and 

communication about those managed at the state level. Additionally, regions and parks will have

opportunities to add, update, or remove projects on the program of candidate projects through the 

annual SCC process and on an ad-hoc basis based on project readiness, changes in project schedule, or 

shifting NPS priorities. 

3.2.2 Bureau Investment Review Board 

The BIRB will be informed throughout the life of BIL for relevant approvals, feedback and strategic 

direction. The strategic plan and the preliminary project list were presented to the BIRB in July 2022 as 

the first of a series of regular status updates. Investment concepts for individual capital projects that are 

identified on the BIL Transportation Grants Program of Candidate Projects will require BIRB approval, in 

alignment with BIRB guidance.

3.2.3 Partner Agencies 

Regions and parks will continue to foster relationships with partners at the grassroots level and look for 

opportunities for partner supported and submitted applications, adding them to the program of 

candidate projects as appropriate. Regions and parks are encouraged to participate in integrated 

transportation planning activities with partner agencies—such as the state, MPO, or RPO—to have 

comprehensive dialogue on regional transportation challenges. This multiagency coordination could lead 

to the development of projects to submit to BIL transportation grant programs that could improve 

access to NPS units. 

4 GOAL: STRATEGICALLY DELIVER TARGETED SUPPORT FOR BIL 

TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROPOSAL AND APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT 

FOR SUCCESS 

PPFL, in partnership with the regions, is evaluating the need to increase capacity to implement the BIL 

Transportation Grants Strategic Plan. Additional capacity would support regions and parks in 

coordinating grant proposals by ensuring projects will meet BIL transportation grant program 
11 | NPS BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan

requirements. Investment in this internal capacity will have long-term benefit to the NPS and 

demonstrate the NPS’s commitment to collaboration with local and state partners. 

4.1 OBJECTIVE: PROVIDE INTEGRATED TRANSPORTATION PLANNING SUPPORT TO DEVELOP NEEDS 

BEFORE PURSUING BIL TRANSPORTATION GRANT OPPORTUNITIES 

There are a number of funding opportunities in BIL that the NPS is not directly eligible for but can 

support partners in developing mutually beneficial projects or projects that advance the NPS mission 

and transportation priorities. To assist regions and parks in working with partners, integrated 

transportation planning support may be needed. In collaboration with PPFL’s Transportation Planning 

Program, projects submitted from regions will be reviewed for alignment with the NPS National 

Transportation Strategy (NTS) goals to develop a list of projects for integrated transportation planning 

support consideration. The Transportation Planning Program has quarterly meetings with the regional 

transportation coordinators and planning portfolio managers to understand transportation planning 

needs and the status of ongoing projects. During the fourth quarter FY22 meeting, the list was reviewed 

with regions to determine if integrated planning support is needed at the unit or regional level through 

the Transportation Planning Program. This support check-in will continue at each quarterly meeting to 

ensure regions and parks have the resources needed to move projects forward so that they can be ready 

for potential grant applications. 

4.2 OBJECTIVE: COORDINATE GRANT APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT FOR NATIONALLY COMPETITIVE 

BIL TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROGRAMS IN COLLABORATION WITH REGIONS AND PARKS 

4.2.1 Grant Application Technical Assistance Process 

Technical assistance is available from PPFL to support developing and assembling grant application

packages ensuring readiness for the priority grant programs. Technical assistance details for grant 

applications are included in Table 2. Priority will be given to projects that have been selected for 

submittal for nationally competitive programs for which the NPS is directly eligible. PPFL, at the 

discretion of the Associate Director, may also provide technical assistance for a limited number of high 

priority applications to state-administered programs such as FLAP or TA. Regions are responsible for 

providing parks with technical assistance for developing grant application packages or the programs 

indicated with “Regions” under the NPS Coordination Lead column in Table 1. 
 December 2022 | 12

Table 2: Nationally Competitive Discretionary Grant Application Process & Roles

PPFL Region Park

Technical

Assistance

Provider

Develop application template/outline based on NOFO

Populate template and provide other relevant 

information, including images

Finalize project budget, including match (if required)

Develop Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA)

Develop/refine project location maps

Format and copy-edit narrative

Develop letter of support template 

Outreach to partners to secure letters of support

Package all application materials, including appendices 

and budget forms

Review final application package

Submit application via Grants.gov (for NPS eligible 

programs)

4.2.2 Fund Transfer Support 

After a successful application and funding is awarded, if NPS is the delivery agent, monies are

transferred to the NPS. PPFL will coordinate with WASO Budget and the region to set up PMIS and 

accounts. WASO Budget will issue a Funding Advice when grant funding is available. PMIS statements 

will need to correctly follow the SCC guidance for Transportation Grants, including separate components 

for matching funds, if applicable. 

4.3 OBJECTIVE: SUPPORT REGIONS AND PARKS BY DEVELOPING A TOOLBOX OF RESOURCES 

The BIL Transportation Grants Workgroup will develop a toolbox of available resources to support 

regions and parks in pursuing BIL transportation grant opportunities. This toolbox could include but is 

not limited to:

• Tools to assist parks in identifying potential funding programs, meeting eligibility criteria,

providing samples of funded applications for different funding programs

• Contact lists of key partners at state DOTs and MPOs/RPOs

• Templates for applications and letters of support

• Consistent communication tools

• Planning strategies to understand our partners’ needs and priorities

• Resources to identify parks that meet key criteria such as:
13 | NPS BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan 

o Coastal Parks located in States that have been impacted by federally declared disasters 

over the past six years for programs like Coastal Storm Risk Management, Hurricane, 

and Storm Damage Reduction Projects

o Parks located in communities designed Historically Disadvantaged/Significant Poverty – 

important to many of the funding program evaluation criteria

5 GOAL: DEVELOP COMMUNICATIONS TOOLS TO SHARE BIL 

TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROGRAM INFORMATION, LESSONS LEARNED, 

AND TRACK SUCCESSES 

5.1 OBJECTIVE: SUPPORT NPS EMPLOYEES BY PROVIDING BIL TRANSPORTATION GRANT 

PROGRAM INFORMATION AND LESSONS LEARNED 

5.1.1 BIL Transportation HUB SharePoint 

The internal NPS BIL Transportation HUB SharePoint site serves as the primary source for information. It 

includes the following resources:

• Most up to date BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan

• Most up to date BIL Transportation Grants Program of Candidate Projects

• Current Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for grants

• BIL Transportation Program Matrix: PPFL contacts, overview of the various new and existing 

programs available to the NPS. Staff can scan the programs for project eligibility, links to fact 

sheets and NOFOs, and past projects for which the NPS has been successful under these 

programs. 

• BIL Transportation Overview Slides: Provides a deeper dive into the programs and explains the 

differences between authorized, discretionary/competitive, and formula programs.

• Relevant AD Memos 

• Toolbox of BIL Transportation Resources (see section 4.3) 

• Additional helpful tools, webinars, and links

5.1.2 Webinars & Presentations 

PPFL leadership and staff provide presentations and webinars to deliver information on BIL 

transportation grant opportunities. The audience includes but is not limited to regional transportation 

coordinators, regional planning portfolio managers, superintendents, facility managers, park planners, 

and partners. Potential topics for webinars could include:

• Learn about and prepare for upcoming opportunities and access BIL transportation funding 

• Partnerships, integrated planning, and BIL transportation grants that benefit the NPS, but for 

which a partner must apply 

• Specific BIL transportation grant programs

• Peer-to-peer networking and lessons learned
December 2022 | 14

PPFL and Partnerships and Civic Engagement hosted two webinars in April and May 2022 to introduce 

grant programs in the BIL and how integrated planning, collaboration, and partnering is key for success 

when it comes to access to and within national parks. 

5.2 OBJECTIVE: PROMOTE BIL TRANSPORTATION GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AND SUCCESSES IN 

PUBLIC FORUMS 

5.2.1 NPS External Website 

The external NPS Transportation webpage was updated in June 2022 including a new subpage on the 

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This BIL transportation webpage provides a summary of BIL transportation 

opportunities and a location where the NPS can highlight grant successes. As the NPS and partners 

receive grant awards, this page will be updated. Key BIL transportation program and strategy 

information and summary graphics could be considered for display. 

5.2.2 Coordinated Messaging 

WASO Communications maintains a SharePoint site with communications guidance related to BIL. This 

site includes style guidance, talking points, media guidance, and more. 

As regional and park communications teams prepare press releases to announce successful BIL

transportation grant awards, it will be important to ensure coordinated messaging. These teams can 

refer to the new external Bipartisan Infrastructure Law page on the NPS Transportation website and use

the following “tags” on external BIL transportation announcements: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, BIL, 

BIL Grant, transportation grant, infrastructure bill, and infrastructure law. 

5.3 OBJECTIVE: IDENTIFY NEED AND TRACK PROGRESS 

5.3.1 Identify Need 

PPFL will adapt the program of candidate projects for use with NPS and DOI leadership, U.S. DOT, and 

communications through agency and Department channels to identify need. PPFL will provide NPS and 

DOI leadership with a refined high-level overview identifying which project applications are planned for 

submission in the following years of BIL, including maps, alignment with administration priorities, and 

key project profiles. Infographic summaries of the number of applications planned for submission, total 

funding requested, and funding awarded will be updated throughout the life of BIL to visualize and 

communicate success for a leadership audience. 

The materials developed for NPS and DOI leadership will be adapted as a full, unconstrained list of 

potential grant projects. The full list or a summary of potential projects could be shared with Federal 

Highway Administration (FHWA) leadership to demonstrate NPS needs across all programs. The list of 

project needs will be adapted into maps indicating project locations and summaries of total project 

costs by state and potential BIL transportation grant program. 

5.3.2 Track Progress 

PPFL is working to develop a tracking mechanism for the BIL transportation grant applications to capture 

the status of all applications to the various programs. This will enable understanding of which projects 

have applications in development, pending, awarded, funding obligated, and construction completed. 
15 | NPS BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan

Project information will be pulled from existing NPS systems of record, such as PMIS, though PMIS is not 

set up to track these types of information related to grant application status. Parks and regions are 

responsible for providing inputs to the BIL tracking mechanism that PPFL develops, particularly for the 

state-administered and partner programs for which coordination will be led by regions. 

Additionally, with this BIL transportation grants tracking system, PPFL will be able to summarize the total 

amount of funding at each of grant stage, the locations of the projects, and create graphics and 

visualizations. This tracking information can then be displayed for NPS staff on the BIL Transportation 

HUB SharePoint and distributed through other communications. The system maintained by PPFL will 

enable efficient responses to requests from NPS and DOI leadership regarding the BIL transportation 

grant applications.

 
December 2022 | 16

6 APPENDIX A: BIL TRANSPORTATION GRANTS WORKGROUP 

The BIL Transportation Grants Workgroup provides technical expertise to further develop support and 

communication strategies and oversee identification, prioritization, and utilization of resources for 

technical support for project and grant development. The workgroup lead and members engage with 

national partners, including DOT, and provide regular updates to the AD, Park Planning, Facilities, and 

Lands, and other leadership and stakeholder groups within the NPS. The workgroup coordinates across 

WASO programs, as well as regions and parks to provide advice and support on BIL transportation grant 

programs. The workgroup also tracks candidate projects and grant applications across programs. The 

workgroup consists of staff across various NPS offices, including the Park Facility Management Division, 

Park Planning Special Studies, Conservation and Outdoor Recreation, Denver Service Center, Biological 

Resources Division, and representatives from the regional and park levels. The U.S. DOT Volpe Center 

provides technical support with workgroup coordination. 

 
17 | NPS BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan 

7 APPENDIX B: PRIORITY PROGRAM STRATEGIES 

7.1 NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL LANDS AND TRIBAL PROJECTS (NSFLTP) 

The Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) Program, provides up to $887.5

million for federal land management agencies (FLMAs) including the NPS over the life of BIL for the 

construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of nationally significant projects within, adjacent to, or 

accessing Federal and tribal lands. The NPS is directly eligible for this key program, which provides an 

opportunity to address significant challenges across the nation for transportation facilities that serve 

Federal and tribal lands. The NSFLTP Fact Sheet provides more information on the program. 

As a top-priority discretionary BIL transportation grant funding program, a five-year program of

candidate projects will be developed for NSFLTP that includes one to three project applications per year. 

Annually, the program of candidate projects will be adjusted based on national priority, readiness, and 

annual appropriation of NSFLTP. The following strategies will be considered: 

• The total requested amount of all applications in each round should add up to roughly the 

amount of funding available to FLMAs for that round (e.g., for FY22, $62.6M is available to FLMA 

applicants). 

• Submit a project application from a park with visitation above 3 million per year (guaranteed 

award). Depending on the other NPS transportation priorities for that round, this application 

could request up to 90% of the project budget without breaking it into project components. If 

the NPS decides to submit more than one application for projects at parks with over 3 million 

annual visitors, identify the priority project in the transmittal cover letter and include a match

over the minimum match amount. 

• Submit one or two additional project applications at parks with visitation below 3 million per 

year, as long as they are NPS transportation priorities, and the guaranteed award project does

not the equal the maximum available funding. 

Next Steps: 

• Collect additional project information to revise current preliminary project list to ensure 

projects: 

o Are large and complex and beyond the capacity of FLTP

o Have compliance completed by time of award

o Is a single, continuous transportation project

o Have a plan for the 10% or greater match 

o Coordinate with the FLTP Multiyear 

o Consider for funding in another program

• Meet with regions and parks annually to:

o Discuss application process

o Identify application team and roles and responsibilities

o Set application schedule
December 2022 | 18

7.2 BRIDGE INVESTMENT PROGRAM (BIP) 

The Bridge Investment Program (BIP) provides $12.5 billion in funding over the life of BIL for grants, on a 

competitive basis, to improve bridge condition and the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the 

movement of people and freight over bridges. The NPS is directly eligible for this program and potential 

projects include bride replacement, rehabilitation or preservations along with replacement or 

rehabilitation of culverts to improve flood controls and improve habitat for aquatic species. Eligible 

projects must include a structure on that National Bridge Inventory that is in poor condition or fair 

condition within three years of poor condition. The BIP Fact Sheet provides more information on the 

program.

As a top-priority discretionary BIL transportation grant funding program, the following strategies will be 

considered: 

• Meet with the FHWA point of contact to answer key grant criteria to shape our future submittals

• Set up a BIP advisory team

a. Review grant objectives, collate questions before and after NOFO guidance

b. Review current bridge inventory that would rank high in grant submittals

c. Identify bundling, geographic diversity opportunities

d. Identify successful grant applications and distribute to regions

e. Manage best practices, performance, strategy adjustments, develop success stories 

report

• Focus FY 23 + submittals on primarily poor NBI structures currently funded or not.

a. Maximize use of current Bridge Inspection Program, FLTP Multiyear, priority of 

improvement POI data and programing strategies which focus on worst first poor 

condition structures and bridge condition A, B, C needing 3R work within the next 3 

years.

b. Have the regions scan all of the poor NBI structures in their area. Have each region 

highlight their top 5 % poor structures (in a FLTP Multiyear or not) for submittal. Focus 

on poor structures in the outer years that could benefit from advancing earlier in a fiscal 

year. 

c. Regions can propose bundling of poor bridges in a park unit for the large category area. 

If awarded a BIP grant for a project on the FLTP Multiyear, matching funds will be 

needed but the remainder of the project budget could be redeployed to fair condition 

structures. 

d. Focusing on poor structures in the outer year of our program should give us the 

geographic diversity and congressional variety. Projects are already in a development 

delivery chute so most of the grant submittal info should be available.

 
19 | NPS BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan

7.3 PROMOTING RESILIENT OPERATIONS FOR TRANSFORMATIVE, EFFICIENT, AND COST-SAVING 

TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM (PROTECT) 

PROTECT is a new discretionary grant program, with up to $1.4 billion available over the life of BIL. 

While a NOFO is yet to be released, the NPS will seek to identify projects likely to compete well given the 

language in the BIL. No fact sheet is available for this program as of September 2022. In addition to the 

criteria outlined in legislation, ideal submissions should:

• Prioritize projects that increase the resiliency of transportation infrastructure

• Have park level support

• Have partner support, specifically state since NPS must apply jointly with state

• Have gateway community/economic generator component

• Be data driven supported by previous studies

To gather more information about potential submissions and support needed, NPS will meet with

regional transportation coordinators and planning portfolio managers during the quarterly meeting the 

Transportation Planning Program facilitates. 

7.4 WILDLIFE CROSSING PILOT PROGRAM 

This is a new discretionary grant program with up to $350 million available over the five years of BIL. The

NPS will seek to identify projects likely to compete well given the language in the BIL, though U.S. DOT 

has yet to release a NOFO with further details. No fact sheet is available for this program as of 

September 2022. In addition to the primary and secondary selection criteria outlined in legislation, ideal 

submissions should:

• prioritize threatened and endangered species identified as park resources

• have realistic delivery timeframes

• have park level support

• have partner support

• be data driven using habitat maps, species movement patterns, established wildlife corridors,

T&E species “take” information, carcass data, and crash report data

Typical overpass and underpass wildlife crossing projects may range in cost from $2M to $10M.

However, there are many lower cost strategies that reduce the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions, 

while improving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species as identified in the 2008 WildlifeVehicle Collision Reduction Study: Report To Congress, and NPS will seek to identify both lower and 

higher cost projects since it is not known which types of applications will be the most competitive. 

Current Targets: 

• Submit 0-2 (greater than $2M) NPS only applications annually

• Submit 0-2 ($500K-$2M) NPS only applications annually

• Support 1-5 partner submissions annually (as a joint applicant, or w/letter of support)

• $15M total in awarded grants from FY22-26 Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program.

• $15M total in awarded grants from FY22-26 on projects the NPS has supported.

In most cases, NPS submissions will be located within park boundaries where NPS owns the associated 

road/bridge asset. However, because threatened and endangered species identified as park resources 

sometimes venture outside park boundaries, it may make sense to provide letters of support for partner 

applications, or in some cases, jointly submit an application with a partner. Joint projects applications, 
 December 2022 | 20

where NPS does not own the road/bridge asset, and the project location is outside the park 

boundaries (where NPS does not own adjacent land) should be of national significance and high 

profile. These should be very special cases with significant partner support. 

To gather more information about potential submissions, NPS has developed a template for collecting 

additional project information for region transportation coordinators to share with park staff. There is 

also a plan to develop a letter of support template for partner submissions, a one-pager on NPS 

approach to the program that can be shared with external partners, and additional content for the BIL 

Transportation HUB website. 

7.5 TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES (TA) 

Transportation Alternatives (TA) is part of the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) with up to $7.2 

billion in funding available over the life of BIL. The program supports planning, design, and construction 

of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe 

routes to school projects, community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation 

management, and environmental mitigation related to storm water and habitat connectivity. The TA 

Fact Sheet provides more information about the program. 

Each State receives a share of the national total TA funding that they manage through a competitive 

process that the NPS is eligible to apply. Since this program is managed at a state level, the regions will 

coordinate the applications with support from the WASO Alternative Transportation Program, as 

needed. WASO can provide additional support by promoting the program to regions and parks and 

providing resources and tools for application development.

7.6 FEDERAL LANDS ACCESS PROGRAM (FLAP) 

The Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) provides up to $1.5 billion in funding over the life of BIL for 

projects that provide access to, are adjacent to, or are located within Federal Lands. Priority shall be 

given to projects accessing high-use Federal recreation sites or Federal economic generators, as 

identified by the Secretaries of the appropriate Federal land management agencies. State DOTs, Tribes, 

and/or local governments may apply. Project applications require coordination and approval by the 

Federal or tribal property owner(s). Any Federal property owner who possesses Federal economic 

generators or high use Federal recreation sites accessible by state and/or county public roads are 

encouraged to work with their state and/or local government officials to coordinate the submission of 

applications. The FLAP Fact Sheet provides more information about the program. 

WHO SUBMITS 

APPLICATION? NPS Owned Adjacent Land Non-NPS Owned Adjacent Land

NPS Owned Road / 

Bridge Asset NPS Submission N/A?

Non-NPS Owned 

Road / Bridge Asset Joint Application Partner Submission with NPS Letter of Support
21 | NPS BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan 

Eighty percent of funds go to the states that contain at least 1.5% of the national total of public lands, 

and the remaining 20% to the other states. Funds are distributed based on the formula percentages 

below following an 80-20 split: 

• 30% based on the State share of total recreational visitation in all States. 

• 5% based on the State share of total Federal land area in all States. 

• 55% based on the State share of total Federal public road miles in all States. 

• 10% based on the State share of total number of Federal public bridges in all States.

The Programming Decision Committee is responsible for the FLAP programming decisions in each state 

and is comprised of representatives from FHWA, the State Department of Transportation, and an 

appropriate political subdivision of the State. Given that this program is managed differently in each 

state, regions will continue to work with parks to coordinate partner applications to this program. PPFL 

could provide support to regions by reviewing the FLTP Multiyear to locate projects that go to the park 

boundary. Then, the region could ask a park if there is a need to improve the road corridor leading to 

the park. If the answer is yes, the park, with assistance from the region, should coordinate with the 

owner of the road corridor outside the park to submit an application, and the project inside the park 

boundary could be used as matching funds for the project outside the boundary. A review of statewide 

transportation improvement plans could also be performed to identify strong FLAP candidate projects. 

7.7 REBUILDING AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE WITH SUSTAINABILITY AND EQUITY (RAISE) 

The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE Discretionary Grant 

program, may provide up to $2.275 billion per year ($1.5 billion in funding was made available for 2022) 

as outlined in BIL and subject to appropriations. This program provides an opportunity for the NPS to 

work with partners to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to have a significant 

local or regional impact. The RAISE Program Webpage provides more information. 

This program was previously known as the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development 

(BUILD) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grants.

RAISE projects are evaluated on statutory criteria of safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, 

economic competitiveness and opportunity, state of good repair, partnership, and innovation. Under 

BIL, 2022 RAISE applications will also be evaluated on the criteria of mobility and community 

connectivity. Additionally, the program is focusing on projects located in Areas of Persistent Poverty or 

Historically Disadvantaged Communities. The Department of Transportation has developed a tool that 

will allow applicants to determine if their project location is considered as a Historically Disadvantaged 

Community. The tool is available here. 

To gather more information about potential submissions and support needed, NPS will meet with

regional transportation coordinators and planning portfolio managers during the quarterly meeting the 

Transportation Planning Program facilitates. These conversations will focus on projects that connect 

parks to Areas of Persistent Poverty or Historically Disadvantaged Communities. Further support to 

regions and parks will be provided through integrated transportation planning and the alternative 

transportation program.
December 2022 | 22

7.8 NATIONAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE FORMULA PROGRAM (NEVI) 

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (“NEVI Formula”) provides $5 billion in

funding over the life of BIL to States to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure 

and to establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability. The NEVI 

Fact Sheet and the NEVI Program Guidance provides more information. 

The NPS has adopted a phased approach to engaging with states on the NEVI program, summarized 

below. 

Phase 1: Initial Outreach to State DOTs

Priority states have been identified for outreach, based on a past geospatial EVSE gap analysis as well as 

an ongoing EVSE gap analysis that the NPS is conducting with other Department of Interior agencies, the 

U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Through this effort, the NPS identified the 

following states for outreach regarding NEVI: Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New 

Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. PPFL is coordinating this 

initial outreach with participation from regional office staff. The purpose of this initial outreach to states

is to communicate that the NPS is interested in being a stakeholder in the NEVI process and to 

understand each state’s approach to designating Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC) corridors and 

developing NEVI EV Infrastructure Deployment Plans.

Phase 2: Targeted Outreach for Priority Parks

In this phase of outreach, a set of parks will be identified for engagement with the NEVI program based 

on the findings of EVSE geospatial gap analyses and the NPS 5-Year EV Work Plan. For these parks, the 

nature of the necessary NEVI outreach will differ based on their proximity to AFCs: 

• Parks adjacent to designated AFCs: These parks are along corridors where states can currently 

use NEVI funds to install EVSE. In these areas, the NPS will work with states to consider whether 

parks or nearby locations are appropriate for inclusion in the state’s Electric Vehicle 

Infrastructure Deployment Plan. The 2022 deadline for states to submit their Electric Vehicle 

Infrastructure Deployment Plans was August 1, 2022. The NEVI program guidance also suggests 

that there will be future rounds of state Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans, 

although it does not identify any specific deadlines. In many cases, installation of EVSE at NPS 

sites may not be necessary along designated corridors if the corridors already have substantial 

EVSE installations that meet visitors’ and travelers’ needs. 

• Parks that are not adjacent to designated AFCs: The NEVI program requires states to fully build 

out EVSE along designated AFCs prior to spending NEVI formula funds elsewhere. States can 

designate additional AFCs on an annual basis. The most recent deadline for 2022 AFC 

nominations was on May 13, 2022. Looking ahead to the next round of AFC nominations in 

2023, the NPS will work with states to consider future AFC designations that could provide 

access to priority parks that are not already adjacent to AFCs. 

• Develop strategy for fulfilling the required 20 percent cost-share match for identified EVSE 

installation locations where NPS has a vested interest (these cost-share funds must be nonfederal).
23 | NPS BIL Transportation Grants Strategic Plan

With the recently released information about the new AFCs designated in 2022, the NPS will conduct a 

geospatial analysis to identify priority parks based on their proximity to AFCs to inform phase 2 of the

outreach approach described above. 
 December 2022 | 24

8 APPENDIX C: CROSSWALK OF NPS, DOI AND DOT PRIORITIES 

Table 3: Crosswalk of NPS, DOI, and DOT Priorities

DOI & DOT Priorities

NPS Transportation Priorities

Protect the Climate and 

Advance Resource 

Protection 

Enhance Visitor 

Experience and Connect 

Diverse Communities

Reinvest in the System 

and Make Legacy 

Investments

DOI

Priorities

Identifying steps to accelerate responsible 

development of renewable energy on public 

lands and waters.



Strengthening the government-to-government 

relationship with sovereign Tribal Nations.

  

Making investments to support the 

Administration’s goal of creating millions of 

family-supporting and union jobs.

 

Working to conserve at least 30% each of our 

lands and waters by the year 2030. 

Centering equity and environmental justice. 

DOT

Strategic 

Goals 2022-

2026

Make our transportation system safer for all 

people. Advance a future without 

transportation-related serious injuries and 

fatalities.

 

Grow an inclusive and sustainable economy. 

Invest in our transportation system to provide 

American workers and businesses reliable and 

efficient access to resources, markets, and goodpaying jobs.



Reduce inequities across our transportation 

systems and the communities they affect. 

Support and engage people and communities to 

promote safe, affordable, accessible, and 

multimodal access to opportunities and services 

while reducing transportation-related disparities, 

adverse community impacts, and health effects.



Tackle the climate crisis by ensuring that 

transportation plays a central role in the 

solution. Substantially reduce greenhouse gas 

emissions and transportation-related pollution 

and build more resilient and 

sustainable transportation systems to benefit 

and protect communities.



Design for the future. Invest in purpose-driven 

research and innovation to meet the challenges 

of the present and modernize a transportation 

system of the future that serves everyone today 

and in the decades to come.

 

Strengthen our world-class organization. 

Advance the Department’s mission by 

establishing policies, processes, and an inclusive 

and innovative culture to effectively serve 

communities and responsibly steward the 

public’s resources.

  