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ble applicants for activities under subsection 
(e)(1)(C). 
(g) CONSIDERATIONS.—In making grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall consider the extent to which— 
(1) a project is likely to provide substantial ad-
ditional opportunities for active transportation, in-
cluding walking and bicycling, including through the 
creation of— 
(A) active transportation networks con-
necting destinations within or between commu-
nities, including between schools, workplaces, 
residences, businesses, recreation areas, and 
other community areas; and 
(B) active transportation connectors con-
necting 2 or more communities, metropolitan 
areas, or States, including greenway paths; 
(2) an applicant has adequately considered or 
will consider, including through the opportunity for 
public comment, the environmental justice and eq-
uity impacts of the project; 
(3) the project would improve safety for vulner-
able road users, including through the use of com-
plete street design policies or a safe system ap-
proach; 
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(4) a project integrates active transportation fa-
cilities with public transportation services, where 
available, to improve access to public transportation; 
and 
(5) the project would serve the low income resi-
dents of economically disadvantaged communities, 
including environmental justice communities, under-
served communities, or communities located in areas 
of persistent poverty (as such term is defined in sec-
tion 101 of title 23, United States Code). 
(h) LIMITATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The share of the cost of a 
project assisted with a grant under this section may 
not exceed 80 percent. 
(2) MAXIMUM FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.—Federal 
assistance other than a grant under this section may 
be used to satisfy up to 100 percent of the total 
project cost. 
(i) ELIGIBLE
PROJECT
COSTS.—Amounts made 
available for a project under this section may be used 
for— 
(1) development phase activities, including plan-
ning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, envi-
ronmental review, preliminary engineering and de-
sign work, and other preconstruction activities; and 
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(2) construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, 
acquisition of real property (including land related 
to the project and improvements to the land), envi-
ronmental mitigation, construction contingencies, ac-
quisition of equipment, and operational improve-
ments. 
(j) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 3 business days 
before awarding a grant under this section, the Secretary 
of Transportation shall notify the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of 
the Senate of the intention to award such a grant. 
(k) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK.—The 
term ‘‘active transportation network’’ means facili-
ties built for alternative methods of transportation 
to motor vehicles for individuals, including side-
walks, bikeways, and pedestrian and bicycle trails, 
that connect destinations within an area covered by 
a unit of local government, a county, a community, 
including a community on Federal lands, or a metro-
politan area. 
(2) ACTIVE
TRANSPORTATION
CONNECTOR.— 
The term ‘‘active transportation connector’’ means 
facilities built for alternative methods of transpor-
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tation to motor vehicles for individuals, including 
sidewalks, bikeways, and pedestrian and bicycle 
trails, that connect 2 or more active transportation 
networks or connect communities, areas covered by 
a unit of local government, counties, metropolitan 
areas, Federal lands, or States. 
(3) GREENWAY
PATH.—The term ‘‘greenway 
path’’ means an active transportation connector 
that— 
(A) crosses jurisdictional boundaries, in-
cluding 
State 
lines, 
and 
provides 
for 
connectivity between multiple communities, 
counties, metropolitan areas, or States; or 
(B) is a component of a regionally or na-
tionally significant network. 
(4) SAFE SYSTEM APPROACH.—The term ‘‘safe 
system approach’’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 148(a) of title 23, United States Code. 
(5) VULNERABLE ROAD USER.—The term ‘‘vul-
nerable road user’’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 148(a) of title 23, United States Code. 
SEC. 1310. WILDLIFE CROSSINGS PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish 
a competitive wildlife crossings grant program (referred 
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to in this section as the ‘‘program’’) to provide grants for 
projects that seek to achieve— 
(1) a reduction in the number of wildlife-vehicle 
collisions; and 
(2) improved habitat connectivity for terrestrial 
and aquatic species. 
(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The Secretary may make 
grants under the program to the following entities: 
(1) A State. 
(2) An Indian Tribe or Tribal organization. 
(3) A territory. 
(4) A Federal land management agency de-
scribed in section 203(b) of title 23, United States 
Code. 
(5) A group of entities described in paragraphs 
(1) through (4). 
(c) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under the program, an eligible entity shall submit to the 
Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may re-
quire. 
(d) CONSIDERATIONS.—In selecting grant recipients 
under the program, the Secretary shall consider the fol-
lowing: 
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(1) PRIMARY CRITERIA.—The extent to which 
the proposed project is likely to protect motorists 
and wildlife by reducing the number of wildlife-vehi-
cle collisions and improve habitat connectivity for 
terrestrial and aquatic species. 
(2) SECONDARY CRITERIA.— 
(A) The resilience benefits of the project. 
(B) The extent to which the project incor-
porates climate science, including expected 
changes in migration patterns. 
(C) The extent to which the project spon-
sor has coordinated with the relevant State 
agency with jurisdiction over fish and wildlife, 
if appropriate. 
(D) In the case of a project involving spe-
cies listed as threatened species or endangered 
species under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), whether the 
project sponsor has coordinated with the United 
States Fish and Wildlife Service. 
(E) Other ecological benefits of the project, 
including— 
(i) reductions in stormwater runoff 
and other water pollution; and 
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(ii) the benefits of improved habitat 
connectivity for pollinators and the use of 
natively appropriate grasses. 
(F) Whether the project supports local eco-
nomic development and improvement of visita-
tion opportunities. 
(G) The extent to which the project incor-
porates innovative technologies, including ad-
vanced design techniques and other strategies 
to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in reduc-
ing wildlife-vehicle collisions and improving 
habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic 
species. 
(H) The extent to which the project pro-
vides educational and outreach opportunities. 
(I) Whether the project will further re-
search to evaluate, compare effectiveness of, 
and identify best practices in selected projects. 
(J) How the benefits compare to the costs 
of the project. 
(K) Any other criteria relevant to reducing 
the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions and im-
proving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and 
aquatic species, as the Secretary determines to 
be appropriate. 
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(e) ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS.—Grant amounts for 
a project under this section may be used for— 
(1) development phase activities, including plan-
ning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, envi-
ronmental review, preliminary engineering and de-
sign work, and other preconstruction activities; 
(2) construction (including construction of pro-
tective features), reconstruction, rehabilitation, ac-
quisition of real property (including land related to 
the project and improvements to the land), environ-
mental mitigation, construction contingencies, acqui-
sition of equipment, and operational improvements; 
and 
(3) planning and technical assistance activities 
consistent with section 5107 of title 49, United 
States Code, including— 
(A) data collection on wildlife-vehicle colli-
sions; 
(B) integration of State, Tribal, territorial, 
regional, or Federal wildlife conservation plans 
and data collection with transportation planning 
and project selection; 
(C) technical assistance, including work-
force development training, on reducing wildlife- 
vehicle 
collisions 
and 
improving 
habitat 
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connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species; 
and 
(D) education and public outreach to re-
duce wildlife-vehicle collisions. 
(f) PARTNERSHIPS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A grant received under the 
program may be used to provide funds to an eligible 
partner as a subrecipient, in accordance with the 
terms of the project agreement and subject to the 
requirements of this section. 
(2) ELIGIBLE PARTNER DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘eligible partner’’ means— 
(A) an eligible entity described in sub-
section (b); 
(B) a metropolitan planning organization; 
(C) a unit of local government; 
(D) a regional transportation authority; 
(E) a special purpose district or public au-
thority with a transportation function, including 
a port authority; 
(F) a non-profit entity or institution of 
higher education; or 
(G) a Federal, Tribal, regional, State, or 
local governmental entity not described in sub-
section (b). 
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(g) REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) RURAL PROJECTS.—The Secretary shall re-
serve not less than 50 percent of the amounts made 
available under this section for projects located in a 
rural community. 
(2) RESILIENCE.—A project under this section 
shall be designed to ensure resilience over the antici-
pated service life of the asset. 
(3) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not 
award more than 10 percent of the amounts made 
available under this section for grants that propose 
only activities described in subsection (e)(3). 
(h) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 3 business days 
before awarding a grant under this section, the Secretary 
shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate 
of the intention to award such a grant. 
(i) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31 
of each calendar year, the Secretary shall publish, on 
the website of the Department of Transportation, a 
report describing the activities under the program 
for the fiscal year that ends during that calendar 
year. 
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(2) CONTENTS.—The report under paragraph 
(1) shall include— 
(A) a detailed description of the activities 
carried out under the program; 
(B) an evaluation of the effectiveness of 
the program in meeting the purposes described 
in subsection (b); and 
(C) policy recommendations, if any, to im-
prove the effectiveness of the program. 
(j) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) PROTECTIVE FEATURES.—The term ‘‘pro-
tective features’’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 101 of title 23, United States Code. 
(2) RESILIENCE.—The term ‘‘resilience’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 
23, United States Code. 
(3) RURAL
COMMUNITY.—The term ‘‘rural 
community’’ means any area of a State or territory 
that is not an urbanized area, as such term is de-
fined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 
23, United States Code. 
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(5) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 101 of title 23, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 1311. RECONNECTING NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a reconnecting neighborhoods pro-
gram under which an eligible entity may apply for funding 
in order to identify, remove, replace, retrofit, or remediate 
the effects from eligible facilities and restore or improve 
connectivity, mobility, and access in disadvantaged and 
underserved communities, including— 
(1) studying the feasibility and impacts of re-
moving, retrofitting, or remediating the effects on 
community connectivity from an existing eligible fa-
cility; 
(2) conducting preliminary engineering and 
final design activities for a project to remove, ret-
rofit, or remediate the effects on community 
connectivity from an existing eligible facility; 
(3) conducting construction activities necessary 
to carry out a project to remove, retrofit, or reme-
diate the effects on community connectivity from an 
existing eligible facility; and 
(4) ensuring any activities carried out under 
this section— 
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(A) focus on improvements that will ben-
efit the populations impacted by or previously 
displaced by the eligible facility; and 
(B) emphasize equity by garnering commu-
nity engagement, avoiding future displacement, 
and ensuring local participation in the planning 
process. 
(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may award a 
planning grant or a capital construction grant to— 
(A) a State; 
(B) a unit of local government; 
(C) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; 
(D) a territory; 
(F) a metropolitan planning organization; 
(G) a transit agency; 
(H) a special purpose district with a trans-
portation function; and 
(I) a group of entities described in this 
paragraph. 
(2) PARTNERSHIPS.—An eligible entity may 
enter into an agreement with the following entities 
to carry out the eligible activities under this section: 
(A) A nonprofit organization. 
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(B) An institution of higher education, as 
such term is defined in section 101 of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001), in-
cluding historically black colleges and univer-
sities, defined as the term ‘‘Predominantly 
Black institution’’ is defined in section 371(c) 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1067q(c)). 
(c) PLANNING GRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may award 
grants (referred to in this section as a ‘‘planning 
grants’’) to carry out planning activities described in 
paragraph (2). 
(2) ELIGIBLE
ACTIVITIES
DESCRIBED.—The 
planning activities referred to in paragraph (1) 
are— 
(A) planning studies to evaluate the feasi-
bility of removing, retrofitting, or remediating 
an existing eligible facility to restore community 
connectivity, including evaluations of— 
(i) current traffic patterns on the eli-
gible facility proposed for removal, retrofit, 
or remediation and the surrounding street 
network; 
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(ii) the capacity of existing transpor-
tation networks to maintain mobility 
needs; 
(iii) an analysis of alternative roadway 
designs or other uses for the right-of-way 
of the eligible facility, including an analysis 
of whether the available right-of-way would 
suffice to create an alternative roadway de-
sign; 
(iv) the effect of the removal, retrofit, 
or remediation of the eligible facility on the 
mobility of freight and people; 
(v) the effect of the removal, retrofit, 
or remediation of the eligible facility on the 
safety of the traveling public; 
(vi) the cost to remove, retrofit, or re-
mediate the eligible facility— 
(I) 
to 
restore 
community 
connectivity; and 
(II) to convert the eligible facility 
to a roadway design or use that in-
creases safety, mobility, and access 
for all users, compared to any ex-
pected costs for necessary mainte-
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nance or reconstruction of the eligible 
facility; 
(vii) the environmental impacts of re-
taining or reconstructing the eligible facil-
ity and the anticipated effect of the pro-
posed alternative use or roadway design; 
and 
(viii) the community impacts and eq-
uity analyses of retaining or reconstructing 
the eligible facility on the surrounding 
communities, including— 
(I) the demographic breakdown 
of the impacted community by race 
and socioeconomic status; and 
(II) the displacement or dis-
connection that occurred within the 
community as a result of the existing 
facility; 
(B) public engagement activities to provide 
opportunities for public input into a plan to re-
move, replace, retrofit, or remediate the effects 
from an eligible facility, including— 
(i) building organizational or commu-
nity capacity to, and educating community 
members on how to, engage in and con-
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tribute to eligible planning activities de-
scribed in subsection (c)(2); 
(ii) identifying community needs and 
desires for community improvements and 
developing community driven solutions in 
carrying out eligible planning activities de-
scribed in subsection (c)(2); 
(iii) conducting assessments of equity, 
mobility and access, environmental justice, 
affordability, economic opportunity, health 
outcomes, and other local goals to be used 
in carrying out eligible planning activities 
described in subsection (c)(2); and 
(iv) forming a community advisory 
board in accordance with subsection (d)(7); 
(C) other transportation planning activities 
required in advance of a project to remove, ret-
rofit, or remediate an existing eligible facility to 
restore community connectivity, as determined 
by the Secretary; 
(D) evaluating land use and zoning 
changes necessary to improve equity and maxi-
mize transit-oriented development in connection 
with project eligible for a capital construction 
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grant, including activities eligible under section 
5327 of title 49, United States Code; and 
(E) establishment of anti-displacement and 
equitable neighborhood revitalization strategies 
in connection with project eligible for a capital 
construction grant, including establishment of a 
community land trust for land acquisition, land 
banking, and equitable transit-oriented develop-
ment. 
(3) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
provide technical assistance described in sub-
paragraph (B) to an eligible entity. 
(B) 
TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
DE-
SCRIBED.—The technical assistance referred to 
in subparagraph (A) is technical assistance in 
building organizational or community capac-
ity— 
(i) to conduct transportation planning; 
and 
(ii) to identify innovative solutions to 
challenges posed by existing eligible facili-
ties, including reconnecting communities 
that— 
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