Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) - Bridge Program

Questions and Answers (Q&As)

The Q&As provide guidance on the TTP Bridge Program funds under the Infrastructure 

Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 117-58, also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law” (BIL)).

Updated June 7, 2022

Except for any statutes or regulations cited, the contents of this document do not have the force 

and effect of law and are not meant to bind Tribes or the public in any way. This document is 

intended only to provide clarity regarding existing requirements under the law or agency 

policies.

Tribal Transportation Bridge Program Overview

1. What is the TTP Bridge Program?

The Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) Bridge Program provides funds to Federally 

recognized Indian tribes in order to improve the condition of eligible Bureau of Indian 

Affairs (BIA)/tribally owned and non-BIA/tribally owned bridges. Federally recognized 

Indian tribes (see link below) may submit an application at any time for eligible tribal 

transportation bridges for funding for various activities including planning, design, 

engineering, preconstruction, construction, and inspection. 

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/01/28/2022-01789/indian-entitiesrecognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of

The TTP Bridge Program consists of the implementation of the eligible activities under 

23 U.S.C. 202(d). 

2. Where can I find additional information about the TTP Bridge Program?

TTP Bridge website: https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/programs-tribal/bridge

3. Where can I find the statutory and regulatory language for the TTP Bridge 

Program?

The TTP Bridge Program is authorized at 23 U.S.C. 202 and implementing regulations at 

23 CFR part 661, and 25 CFR part 170.

4. Did BIL make any changes to the TTP Bridge Program?

Yes. BIL modified 23 U.S.C. 202(d) to update outdated terminology and broaden 

eligibility with respect to new bridges. Also, BIL eliminated the 3 percent set aside from 

the TTP (23 U.S.C. 202) and, instead, sets aside funding for the TTP Bridge Program 
from other authorized or appropriated programs.

5. How will the TTP Bridge Program be administered?

FHWA wants to make it as easy as possible for Tribes to apply for and receive funding to 

fix bridges, so although the funding sources come from different programs, all available 

funds will be administered pursuant to the regulations at 23 CFR part 661.

Tribal Transportation Bridge Program Funding

6. What are the dedicated funding sources for the TTP Bridge Program?

Three programs include set asides for the TTP Bridge Program:

(1) The Bridge Formula Program (BFP), sets aside 3 percent of the BFP amounts each 

fiscal year to carry out the TTP Bridge Program. 

(2) The Bridge Investment Program (BIP) authorizes funds from the Highway Trust Fund

(HTF) for the BIP for each of FY 2022 through FY 2026. Of these amounts, 23 

U.S.C. 124(q) specifies that certain amounts from the HTF amounts are set-aside for 

the TTP Bridge Program. 

(3) The BIP sets aside certain amounts each fiscal year from the BIP General Fund 

appropriations to carry out the TTP Bridge Program. 

The BIL established the BFP under Title VIII of Division J. BIL 11118 codified BIP at 

23 U.S.C. 124; BIL 11101 authorized amounts from the HTF, and Division J set aside 

amounts from the BIP appropriated General Fund amounts. 

7. What are the periods of availability for the obligation and expenditure of 

the available funds?

7a. TTP Bridge Program Funds from the BFP Set-aside

TTP Bridge Program funds from the BFP set-aside, $165,000,000 for each of FY22 

through FY26, will remain available for obligation and expenditure as follows:

Fiscal Year

Period of Availability for

Obligation and Expenditure Expenditure

2022 Lapse on September 30, 2025 Cancel on September 30, 2030

2023 Lapse on September 30, 2026 Cancel on September 30, 2031

2024 Lapse on September 30, 2027 Cancel on September 30, 2032

2025 Lapse on September 30, 2028 Cancel on September 30, 2033

2026 Lapse on September 30, 2029 Cancel on September 30, 2034

The BFP funds will be used first. Any such amounts not obligated within the period of

availability for obligation shall lapse. Once the period of availability for obligation has 
expired, TTP Bridge Program funds will only remain available for adjusting and 

liquidating obligations as authorized in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1553. 

7b. TTP Bridge Program Funds from the BIP Set-aside

The BIP funds are different than the BFP funds since there is both appropriated budget 

authority from the General Fund and contract authority from the Highway Trust Fund. 

TTP Bridge Program funds that are appropriated budget authority from the BIP set-aside, 

$20,000,000 for each of FY22 through FY26 will remain available for obligation and 

expenditure as follows:

Fiscal Year

Period of Availability for

Obligation and Expenditure Expenditure

2022 Lapse on September 30, 2025 Cancel on September 30, 2030

2023 Lapse on September 30, 2026 Cancel on September 30, 2031

2024 Lapse on September 30, 2027 Cancel on September 30, 2032

2025 Lapse on September 30, 2028 Cancel on September 30, 2033

2026 Lapse on September 30, 2029 Cancel on September 30, 2034

Any such amounts not obligated within the period of availability for obligation shall 

lapse. Once the period of availability for obligation has expired, such TTP Bridge 

Program funds will only remain available for adjusting and liquidating obligations as 

authorized in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1553.

TTP Bridge Program funds that are contract authority from the BIP set-aside would not 

lapse until September 30, 2029, at the earliest, following a first-in first-out schedule for 

obligations. See Memorandum: Funds Availability and Reobligating Expired Funds - 

Resources | Federal Highway Administration (dot.gov). 

Tribal Transportation Bridge Program Eligibility

8. What kinds of bridges are eligible for this funding?

For bridge replacement or rehabilitation:

Eligible bridges are required to:

(a) have an opening of 20 feet or more; 

(b) be classified as a Tribal transportation facility; 

(c) be classified as in poor condition, have low load capacity, or need geometric 

improvements; and

(d) be recorded in the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) maintained by the FHWA.

For new bridge construction:

Eligible bridges are required to be:

(a) classified as a Tribal transportation facility; 
(b) a public bridge with opening of 20 feet or more; and

(c) recorded in the NBI after project completion.

These eligibilities are provided for in 23 U.S.C. 202(d)(3) as modified by Section 

11524(c) of the BIL and 23 CFR 661.17. 

9. What are the eligible activities for TTP Bridge Program funds?

The eligible activities are:

(A) to carry out any planning, design, engineering, preconstruction, construction, and 

inspection of new or replacement tribal transportation facility bridges;

(B) to replace, rehabilitate, seismically retrofit, paint, apply calcium magnesium acetate, 

sodium acetate/formate, or other environmentally acceptable, minimally corrosive 

anti-icing and deicing composition; or

(C) to implement any countermeasure for tribal transportation facility bridges classified 

as in poor condition, having a low load capacity, or needing highway geometric 

improvements, including multiple-pipe culverts.

These eligibilities are provided for in 23 U.S.C. 202(d)(2).

10. With the elimination of the 3 percent set aside of TTP Section 202 funds, may Tribes 

use their respective Tribal TTP shares of TTP Section 202 funds for bridge activities 

that are eligible under 23 U.S.C. 202(d)?

Yes. Tribes can continue to use their Tribal TTP shares for bridges, because all of the 

activities specified under 23 U.S.C. 202(d) continue to be eligible TTP activities. Each 

Tribe can decide for itself how to use their Tribal shares for eligible activities. There is 

no longer a requirement to set-aside a portion of the TTP for the TTP Bridge program.

Tribal shares are determined by using the National Tribal Transportation Facility 

Inventory (NTTFI) as calculated for FY12, and the most recent data on American Indian 

and Alaska Native population within each Tribe's Reservation or Statistical Area, as 

computed under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 

1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.).

11. May Tribes use funds that are BIL Tribal bridge set-asides for the TTP Bridge 

Program for bridge inspections required by the National Bridge Inspection 

Program (NBIP)? 

No. Only the activities that are specified in 23 U.S.C. 202(d) are eligible activities for 

TTP Bridge Program funding. Bridge inspections required to comply with the NBIP are 

not listed as an eligible activity. However, project inspections that are typically done to 

monitor construction progress, quality, and compliance with applicable contract 

requirements and specifications are eligible under the TTP Bridge Program.
NBIP requirements can be found at 23 U.S.C. 144.

12. What funds are eligible for bridge inspection activities required by the National 

Bridge Inspection Program (NBIP)?

Tribes may use their Tribal TTP shares for bridge inspection activities required by the 

NBIP under 23 U.S.C. 144(k)(3).

The NBIP requirements can be at 23 U.S.C. 144. 

How to Apply for Tribal Transportation Bridge Program Funding

13. What are the application processes for submitting a bridge application?

Any time during the fiscal year, a Tribe may prepare and submit to the BIA Region or 

FHWA Tribal Coordinator (TC) an application package to request TTP Bridge Program 

funding. The BIA Region or FHWA TC will assist the Tribe in preparing the application 

package, review the Tribe’s submittal and resolve any issues with the Tribe. 

For Tribes with FHWA Program Agreements1

, the FHWA TC will submit the completed 

bridge application package directly to the TTP Bridge Program Manager at the Federal 

Lands Highway/Office of Tribal Transportation (OTT) for review of the application.

For Tribes who have not entered into Program Agreements with FHWA and who are

working directly with the BIA, the BIA Region will submit the completed bridge 

application package to the BIA Bridge Program Manager for review. Upon review and 

resolution of any issues with the bridge application, BIA will submit the completed 

bridge application package directly to the TTP Bridge Program Manager at OTT for 

further processing and consideration. 

14. What does a complete application package for preliminary engineering (PE) consist 

of and how does the proposed project receive funding?

A complete application package for PE consists of: 

(a) the TTP Bridge Program certification checklist2; 

(b) an FHWA approved TTP Tribal Transportation Improvement Program (TTIP);

(c) a description of the project scope of work;

(d) detailed cost estimate for PE;

(e) NBI data sheet; and

1

 23 U.S.C. § 202(a)(2) authorizes Indian Tribal governments to enter into a Tribal Transportation Program 

Agreement (TTPA) with the Secretary of Transportation to carry out their transportation program and projects. This 

gives Tribes the option of working directly with FHWA in the administration of their Tribal Transportation Program 

rather than having to go through the BIA. The TTPA allows Tribes to assume all the functions and duties that the 

BIA who would have performed with respect to a program or project under Chapter 2 of Title 23, except those 

federally inherent functions. 

2 The TTP Bridge Program certification checklist can be found in Appendix B, Exhibit 12.2 of the TTP Program 

Delivery Guide found here: https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/other/documents/ott/ttp-delivery-guide.pdf. 
(f) an acknowledgment by the Tribe of the project specific funding requirements and that 

any excess funds will be returned to FHWA for further distribution.

Once determined to be complete, applications are then placed into a bridge PE 

application queue. Funding for approved eligible projects in the bridge application queues 

will be made available to the Tribes, under an FHWA/Tribal agreement, or the Secretary 

of the Interior upon availability of program funding at FHWA.

For non-Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)/non-Tribal TTP bridge projects funded under the 

TTP Bridge Program, the application package must also include a Tribal resolution 

supporting the project.

These requirements are provided for in 23 CFR 661.25.

15. What does a complete application package for construction consist of and how does 

the proposed project receive funding?

A complete application package for construction consists of: 

(a) a copy of the approved plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E);

(b) the TTP Bridge Program certification checklist;

(c) NBI data sheet;

(d) an FHWA approved TTP Tribal Transportation Improvement Program (TTIP);

(e) all environmental and archeological clearances and complete grants of public rightsof-way that must be acquired prior to submittal of the construction application 

package; and

(f) an acknowledgment by the Tribe of the project specific funding requirements and that 

any excess funds will be returned to FHWA for further distribution.

Once determined to be complete, applications are then placed into a bridge construction 

application queue. Funding for the approved eligible projects in the bridge construction 

application queues will be made available to the Tribes, under an FHWA/Tribal 

agreement, or the Secretary of the Interior upon availability of program funding at 

FHWA.

For non-BIA/non-Tribal TTP bridge projects funded under the TTP Bridge Program, the 

application package must also include a copy of a letter from the bridge’s owner 

approving the project and its PS&E, and a Tribal resolution supporting the project.

These requirements are provided for in 23 CFR 661.27.

Tribal Transportation Bridge Program Bicyclist and Pedestrian Considerations

16. What are the requirements for accommodation for bicyclists and pedestrians?
TTP Bridge Program funding is subject to requirements for accommodations for bicycle 

transportation and pedestrian walkways pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 217(e). Under this 

provision, all projects with Federal financial participation that replace or rehabilitate a 

TTP eligible bridge deck are required to provide safe accommodation of bicyclists or 

pedestrians, as applicable, on the bridge, when both of the following conditions are met: 

(1) the bridge is located on a highway on which bicyclists or pedestrians are allowed to 

operate at each end of the bridge, and (2) FHWA determines that safe accommodation 

can be provided at reasonable cost.

The first step in this process is to assess whether the bridge is located on a highway on 

which pedestrians or bicyclists are allowed to operate at each end of the bridge. If that is 

the case, in making a determination as to whether safe accommodation can be provided at 

a reasonable cost FHWA will rely on its bicycle and pedestrian travel accommodation 

policy (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/guidance/design.cfm); 

FHWA will presume, that safe accommodation for bicyclists and pedestrians can be 

provided at reasonable cost for all TTP Bridge projects absent an affirmative showing by 

the project sponsor that the cost of such accommodation would exceed twenty percent of 

the cost of the larger transportation project. For instances where such accommodation 

exceeds twenty percent, the addition of bicyclist and pedestrian accommodation is not 

required, but FHWA encourages Tribes to consider providing for such accommodation.