Bridge Investment Act of 2021

To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish a competitive grant program to repair, improve, rehabilitate, or replace bridges to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridge crossings, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Bridge Investment Act of 2021 2. Bridge investment program (a) In general Chapter 1 section 123 124. Bridge investment program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible project (A) In general The term eligible project (B) Inclusions The term eligible project (i) a bundle of projects described in subparagraph (A), regardless of whether the bundle of projects meets the requirements of section 144(j)(5); and (ii) a project to replace or rehabilitate culverts for the purpose of improving flood control and improved habitat connectivity for aquatic species. (2) Large project The term large project (3) Program The term program (b) Establishment of bridge investment program (1) In general There is established a bridge investment program to provide financial assistance for eligible projects under this section. (2) Goals The goals of the program shall be— (A) to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges; (B) to improve the condition of bridges in the United States by reducing— (i) the number of bridges— (I) in poor condition; or (II) in fair condition and at risk of falling into poor condition within the next 3 years; (ii) the total person miles traveled over bridges— (I) in poor condition; or (II) in fair condition and at risk of falling into poor condition within the next 3 years; (iii) the number of bridges that— (I) do not meet current geometric design standards; or (II) cannot meet the load and traffic requirements typical of the regional transportation network; and (iv) the total person miles traveled over bridges that— (I) do not meet current geometric design standards; or (II) cannot meet the load and traffic requirements typical of the regional transportation network; and (C) to provide financial assistance that leverages and encourages non-Federal contributions from sponsors and stakeholders involved in the planning, design, and construction of eligible projects. (c) Grant authority (1) In general In carrying out the program, the Secretary may award grants, on a competitive basis, in accordance with this section. (2) Grant amounts Except as otherwise provided, a grant under the program shall be— (A) in the case of a large project, in an amount that is— (i) adequate to fully fund the project (in combination with other financial resources identified in the application); and (ii) not less than $50,000,000; and (B) in the case of any other eligible project, in an amount that is— (i) adequate to fully fund the project (in combination with other financial resources identified in the application); and (ii) not less than $2,500,000. (3) Maximum amount Except as otherwise provided, for an eligible project receiving assistance under the program, the amount of assistance provided by the Secretary under this section, as a share of eligible project costs, shall be— (A) in the case of a large project, not more than 50 percent; and (B) in the case of any other eligible project, not more than 80 percent. (4) Federal share (A) Maximum Federal involvement Federal assistance other than a grant under the program may be used to satisfy the non-Federal share of the cost of a project for which a grant is made, except that the total Federal assistance provided for a project receiving a grant under the program may not exceed the Federal share for the project under section 120. (B) Off-system bridges In the case of an eligible project for an off-system bridge (as defined in section 133(f)(1))— (i) Federal assistance other than a grant under the program may be used to satisfy the non-Federal share of the cost of a project; and (ii) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the total Federal assistance provided for the project shall not exceed 90 percent of the total eligible project costs. (C) Federal land management agencies and Tribal governments Notwithstanding any other provision of law, Federal funds other than Federal funds made available under this section may be used to pay the remaining share of the cost of a project under the program by a Federal land management agency or a Tribal government or consortium of Tribal governments. (5) Considerations (A) In general In awarding grants under the program, the Secretary shall consider— (i) in the case of a large project, the ratings assigned under subsection (g)(5)(A); (ii) in the case of an eligible project other than a large project, the quality rating assigned under subsection (f)(3)(A)(ii); (iii) the average daily person and freight throughput supported by the eligible project; (iv) the number and percentage of bridges within the same State as the eligible project that are in poor condition; (v) the extent to which the eligible project demonstrates cost savings by bundling multiple bridge projects; (vi) in the case of an eligible project of a Federal land management agency, the extent to which the grant would reduce a Federal liability or Federal infrastructure maintenance backlog; (vii) geographic diversity among grant recipients, including the need for a balance between the needs of rural and urban communities; and (viii) the extent to which a bridge that would be assisted with a grant— (I) is, without that assistance— (aa) at risk of falling into or remaining in poor condition; or (bb) in fair condition and at risk of falling into poor condition within the next 3 years; (II) does not meet current geometric design standards based on— (aa) the current use of the bridge; or (bb) load and traffic requirements typical of the regional corridor or local network in which the bridge is located; or (III) does not meet current seismic design standards. (B) Requirement The Secretary shall— (i) give priority to an application for an eligible project that is located within a State for which— (I) 2 or more applications for eligible projects within the State were submitted for the current fiscal year and an average of 2 or more applications for eligible projects within the State were submitted in prior fiscal years of the program; and (II) fewer than 2 grants have been awarded for eligible projects within the State under the program; (ii) during the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, for each State described in clause (i), select— (I) not fewer than 1 large project that the Secretary determines is justified under the evaluation under subsection (g)(4); or (II) 2 eligible projects that are not large projects that the Secretary determines are justified under the evaluation under subsection (f)(3); and (iii) not be required to award a grant for an eligible project that the Secretary does not determine is justified under an evaluation under subsection (f)(3) or (g)(4). (6) Culvert limitation Not more than 5 percent of the amounts made available for each fiscal year for grants under the program may be used for eligible projects that consist solely of culvert replacement or rehabilitation. (d) Eligible entity The Secretary may make a grant under the program to any of the following: (1) A State or a group of States. (2) A metropolitan planning organization that serves an urbanized area (as designated by the Bureau of the Census) with a population of over 200,000. (3) A unit of local government or a group of local governments. (4) A political subdivision of a State or local government. (5) A special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function. (6) A Federal land management agency. (7) A Tribal government or a consortium of Tribal governments. (8) A multistate or multijurisdictional group of entities described in paragraphs (1) through (7). (e) Eligible project requirements The Secretary may make a grant under the program only to an eligible entity for an eligible project that— (1) in the case of a large project, the Secretary recommends for funding in the annual report on funding recommendations under subsection (g)(6); (2) is reasonably expected to begin construction not later than 18 months after the date on which funds are obligated for the project; and (3) is based on the results of preliminary engineering. (f) Competitive process and evaluation of eligible projects other than large projects (1) Competitive process (A) In general The Secretary shall— (i) for the first fiscal year for which funds are made available for obligation under the program, not later than 60 days after the date on which the template under subparagraph (B)(i) is developed, and in subsequent fiscal years, not later than 60 days after the date on which amounts are made available for obligation under the program, solicit grant applications for eligible projects other than large projects; and (ii) not later than 120 days after the date on which the solicitation under clause (i) expires, conduct evaluations under paragraph (3). (B) Requirements In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall— (i) develop a template for applicants to use to summarize project needs and benefits, including benefits described in paragraph (3)(B)(i); and (ii) enable applicants to use data from the National Bridge Inventory under section 144(b) to populate templates described in clause (i), as applicable. (2) Applications An eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (3) Evaluation (A) In general Prior to providing a grant under this subsection, the Secretary shall— (i) conduct an evaluation of each eligible project for which an application is received under this subsection; and (ii) assign a quality rating to the eligible project on the basis of the evaluation under clause (i). (B) Requirements In carrying out an evaluation under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall— (i) consider information on project benefits submitted by the applicant using the template developed under paragraph (1)(B)(i), including whether the project will generate, as determined by the Secretary— (I) costs avoided by the prevention of closure or reduced use of the bridge to be improved by the project; (II) in the case of a bundle of projects, benefits from executing the projects as a bundle compared to as individual projects; (III) safety benefits, including the reduction of accidents and related costs; (IV) person and freight mobility benefits, including congestion reduction and reliability improvements; (V) national or regional economic benefits; (VI) benefits from long-term resiliency to extreme weather events, flooding, or other natural disasters; (VII) benefits from protection (as described in section 133(b)(9)), including improving seismic or scour protection; (VIII) environmental benefits, including wildlife connectivity; (IX) benefits to nonvehicular and public transportation users; (X) benefits of using— (aa) innovative design and construction techniques; or (bb) innovative technologies; or (XI) reductions in maintenance costs, including, in the case of a federally-owned bridge, cost savings to the Federal budget; and (ii) consider whether and the extent to which the benefits, including the benefits described in clause (i), are more likely than not to outweigh the total project costs. (g) Competitive process, evaluation, and annual report for large projects (1) In general The Secretary shall establish an annual date by which an eligible entity submitting an application for a large project shall submit to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may require, including information described in paragraph (2), in order for a large project to be considered for a recommendation by the Secretary for funding in the next annual report under paragraph (6). (2) Information required The information referred to in paragraph (1) includes— (A) all necessary information required for the Secretary to evaluate the large project; and (B) information sufficient for the Secretary to determine that— (i) the large project meets the applicable requirements under this section; and (ii) there is a reasonable likelihood that the large project will continue to meet the requirements under this section. (3) Determination; notice On making a determination that information submitted to the Secretary under paragraph (1) is sufficient, the Secretary shall provide a written notice of that determination to— (A) the eligible entity that submitted the application; (B) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; and (C) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. (4) Evaluation The Secretary may recommend a large project for funding in the annual report under paragraph (6) only if the Secretary evaluates the proposed project and determines that the project is justified because the project— (A) addresses a need to improve the condition of the bridge, as determined by the Secretary, consistent with the goals of the program under subsection (b)(2); (B) will generate, as determined by the Secretary— (i) costs avoided by the prevention of closure or reduced use of the bridge to be improved by the project; (ii) in the case of a bundle of projects, benefits from executing the projects as a bundle compared to as individual projects; (iii) safety benefits, including the reduction of accidents and related costs; (iv) person and freight mobility benefits, including congestion reduction and reliability improvements; (v) national or regional economic benefits; (vi) benefits from long-term resiliency to extreme weather events, flooding, or other natural disasters; (vii) benefits from protection (as described in section 133(b)(9)), including improving seismic or scour protection; (viii) environmental benefits, including wildlife connectivity; (ix) benefits to nonvehicular and public transportation users; (x) benefits of using— (I) innovative design and construction techniques; or (II) innovative technologies; or (xi) reductions in maintenance costs, including, in the case of a federally-owned bridge, cost savings to the Federal budget; (C) is cost effective based on an analysis of whether the benefits and avoided costs described in subparagraph (B) are expected to outweigh the project costs; (D) is supported by other Federal or non-Federal financial commitments or revenues adequate to fund ongoing maintenance and preservation; and (E) is consistent with the objectives of an applicable asset management plan of the project sponsor, including a State asset management plan under section 119(e) in the case of a project on the National Highway System that is sponsored by a State. (5) Ratings (A) In general The Secretary shall develop a methodology to evaluate and rate a large project on a 5-point scale (the points of which include high medium-high medium medium-low low (i) paragraph (4)(B); (ii) paragraph (4)(C); and (iii) paragraph (4)(D). (B) Requirement To be considered justified and receive a recommendation for funding in the annual report under paragraph (6), a project shall receive a rating of not less than medium (6) Annual report on funding recommendations for large projects (A) In general Not later than the first Monday in February of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Appropriations of the Senate a report that includes— (i) a list of large projects that have requested a recommendation for funding under a new grant agreement from funds anticipated to be available to carry out this subsection in the next fiscal year; (ii) the evaluation under paragraph (4) and ratings under paragraph (5) for each project referred to in clause (i); (iii) the grant amounts that the Secretary recommends providing to large projects in the next fiscal year, including— (I) scheduled payments under previously signed multiyear grant agreements under subsection (j); (II) payments for new grant agreements, including single-year grant agreements and multiyear grant agreements; and (III) a description of how amounts anticipated to be available for the program from the Highway Trust Fund for that fiscal year will be distributed; and (iv) for each project for which the Secretary recommends a new multiyear grant agreement under subsection (j), the proposed payout schedule for the project. (B) Limitations (i) In general The Secretary shall not recommend in an annual report under this paragraph a new multiyear grant agreement provided from funds from the Highway Trust Fund unless the Secretary determines that the project can be completed using funds that are anticipated to be available from the Highway Trust Fund in future fiscal years. (ii) General fund projects The Secretary— (I) may recommend for funding in an annual report under this paragraph a large project using funds from the general fund of the Treasury; but (II) shall not execute a grant agreement for that project unless— (aa) funds other than from the Highway Trust Fund have been made available for the project; and (bb) the Secretary determines that the project can be completed using funds other than from the Highway Trust Fund that are anticipated to be available in future fiscal years. (C) Considerations In selecting projects to recommend for funding in the annual report under this paragraph, the Secretary shall— (i) consider the amount of funds available in future fiscal years for multiyear grant agreements as described in subparagraph (B); and (ii) assume the availability of funds in future fiscal years for multiyear grant agreements that extend beyond the period of authorization based on the amount made available for large projects under the program in the last fiscal year of the period of authorization. (D) Project diversity In selecting projects to recommend for funding in the annual report under this paragraph, the Secretary shall ensure diversity among projects recommended based on— (i) the amount of the grant requested; and (ii) grants for an eligible project for 1 bridge compared to an eligible project that is a bundle of projects. (h) Eligible project costs A grant received for an eligible project under the program may be used for— (1) development phase activities, including planning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental review, preliminary engineering and design work, and other preconstruction activities; (2) construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, acquisition of real property (including land related to the project and improvements to the land), environmental mitigation, construction contingencies, acquisition of equipment, and operational improvements directly related to improving system performance; and (3) expenses related to the protection (as described in section 133(b)(9)) of a bridge, including seismic or scour protection. (i) TIFIA program On the request of an eligible entity carrying out an eligible project, the Secretary may use amounts awarded to the entity to pay subsidy and administrative costs necessary to provide to the entity Federal credit assistance under chapter 6 with respect to the eligible project for which the grant was awarded. (j) Multiyear grant agreements for large projects (1) In general A large project that receives a grant under the program in an amount of not less than $100,000,000 may be carried out through a multiyear grant agreement in accordance with this subsection. (2) Requirements A multiyear grant agreement for a large project described in paragraph (1) shall— (A) establish the terms of participation by the Federal Government in the project; (B) establish the maximum amount of Federal financial assistance for the project in accordance with paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (c); (C) establish a payout schedule for the project that provides for disbursement of the full grant amount by not later than 4 fiscal years after the fiscal year in which the initial amount is provided; (D) determine the period of time for completing the project, even if that period extends beyond the period of an authorization; and (E) attempt to improve timely and efficient management of the project, consistent with all applicable Federal laws (including regulations). (3) Special financial rules (A) In general A multiyear grant agreement under this subsection— (i) shall obligate an amount of available budget authority specified in law; and (ii) may include a commitment, contingent on amounts to be specified in law in advance for commitments under this paragraph, to obligate an additional amount from future available budget authority specified in law. (B) Statement of contingent commitment The agreement shall state that the contingent commitment is not an obligation of the Federal Government. (C) Interest and other financing costs (i) In general Interest and other financing costs of carrying out a part of the project within a reasonable time shall be considered a cost of carrying out the project under a multiyear grant agreement, except that eligible costs may not be more than the cost of the most favorable financing terms reasonably available for the project at the time of borrowing. (ii) Certification The applicant shall certify to the Secretary that the applicant has shown reasonable diligence in seeking the most favorable financing terms. (4) Advance payment Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an eligible entity carrying out a large project under a multiyear grant agreement— (A) may use funds made available to the eligible entity under this title for eligible project costs of the large project until the amount specified in the multiyear grant agreement for the project for that fiscal year becomes available for obligation; and (B) if the eligible entity uses funds as described in subparagraph (A), the funds used shall be reimbursed from the amount made available under the multiyear grant agreement for the project. (k) Undertaking parts of projects in advance under letters of no prejudice (1) In general The Secretary may pay to an applicant all eligible project costs under the program, including costs for an activity for an eligible project incurred prior to the date on which the project receives funding under the program if— (A) before the applicant carries out the activity, the Secretary approves through a letter to the applicant the activity in the same manner as the Secretary approves other activities as eligible under the program; (B) a record of decision, a finding of no significant impact, or a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 (C) the activity is carried out without Federal assistance and in accordance with all applicable procedures and requirements. (2) Interest and other financing costs (A) In general For purposes of paragraph (1), the cost of carrying out an activity for an eligible project includes the amount of interest and other financing costs, including any interest earned and payable on bonds, to the extent interest and other financing costs are expended in carrying out the activity for the eligible project, except that interest and other financing costs may not be more than the cost of the most favorable financing terms reasonably available for the eligible project at the time of borrowing. (B) Certification The applicant shall certify to the Secretary that the applicant has shown reasonable diligence in seeking the most favorable financing terms under subparagraph (A). (3) No obligation or influence on recommendations An approval by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(A) shall not— (A) constitute an obligation of the Federal Government; or (B) alter or influence any evaluation under subsection (f)(3)(A)(i) or (g)(4) or any recommendation by the Secretary for funding under the program. (l) Federally-Owned bridges (1) Divestiture consideration In the case of a bridge owned by a Federal land management agency for which that agency applies for a grant under the program, the agency— (A) shall consider options to divest the bridge to a State or local entity after completion of the project; and (B) may apply jointly with the State or local entity to which the bridge may be divested. (2) Treatment Notwithstanding any other provision of law, section 129 shall apply to a bridge that was previously owned by a Federal land management agency and has been transferred to a non-Federal entity under paragraph (1) in the same manner as if the bridge was never federally owned. (m) Congressional notification Not later than 30 days before making a grant for an eligible project under the program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a written notification of the proposed grant that includes— (1) an evaluation and justification for the eligible project; and (2) the amount of the proposed grant. (n) Reports (1) Annual report Not later than August 1 of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall make available on the website of the Department of Transportation an annual report that lists each eligible project for which a grant has been provided under the program during the fiscal year. (2) GAO assessment and report Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the Bridge Investment Act of 2021 (A) conduct an assessment of the administrative establishment, solicitation, selection, and justification process with respect to the funding of grants under the program; and (B) submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report that describes— (i) the adequacy and fairness of the process under which each eligible project that received a grant under the program was selected; and (ii) the justification and criteria used for the selection of each eligible project. (o) Limitation (1) Large projects Of the amounts made available out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, not less than 50 percent, in aggregate, shall be used for large projects. (2) Unutilized amounts If, in fiscal year 2026, the Secretary determines that grants under the program will not allow for the requirement under paragraph (1) to be met, the Secretary shall use the unutilized amounts to make other grants under the program during that fiscal year. (p) Tribal transportation facility bridge set aside (1) In general Of the amounts made available from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for a fiscal year to carry out this section, the Secretary shall use, to carry out section 202(d)— (A) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; (B) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; (C) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; (D) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and (E) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2026. (2) Treatment For purposes of section 201, funds made available for section 202(d) under paragraph (1) shall be considered to be part of the tribal transportation program. . (b) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 1 section 123 124. Bridge investment program. .

Summary: Bridge Investment Act of 2021 This bill establishes a bridge investment program to award competitive grants to certain governmental entities for projects that improve (1) the condition of bridges; and (2) the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges. Among other things, the bill requires grant awards for large projects (projects with total costs of greater than $100 million) to be at least $50 million, and for any other projects not less than $2.5 million; directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to consider a number of factors in awarding grants, including the extent to which a project demonstrates cost savings by bundling multiple bridge projects; requires DOT to prioritize projects that are located within states for which at least two project applications were submitted in the current fiscal year and an average of two were submitted in prior fiscal years, and fewer than two grants have been awarded for projects within the state; and limits funding for projects that consist solely of culvert replacement or rehabilitation.