Bridge Formula Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58) (IIJA) establishes a program for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, protection, and construction. FHWA refers to the program as the Bridge Formula Program (BFP).
This Assistance Listing 20.263 created in August 2025 was included in the previous ALN 20.205, please refer to former ALN 20.205 for FY24 and FY25 financial obligations. The new Assistance Listing 20.263 will be utilized by DOT at the start of FY 2026
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. State Government
Funding is provided via apportionment/formula to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Varies by project. Generally, FHWA publishes a notice of funding, soliciting applications for assistance, reviews these applications, and determines which applications are most qualified for award. Please see the individual notice of funding for details.
Program details & compliance
Description
BFP funds shall be used for highway bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, protection, or construction projects on public roads.
The Secretary apportions funding to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico via a formula based on the relative costs of replacing a State’s bridges classified as in poor condition and rehabilitating a State’s bridges classified as in fair condition.
Mission Categories
Primary: Highways, Public Roads, and Bridges
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
BFP funds shall be used for highway bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, protection, or construction projects on public roads.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements
Formula
APPORTIONMENT DETAILS:
Pre-Apportionment Set-Asides: Sets aside 3% of BFP funding each fiscal year for Tribal transportation facility bridges, which shall be administered as if made available under the Tribal Transportation Program.
Allows FHWA to use up to 0.5% of annual BFP funds for the FHWA’s administration and operations.
Apportionment of Funds: Directs the Secretary to apportion BFP funding to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico via a formula based on the relative costs of replacing a State’s bridges classified as in poor condition and rehabilitating a State’s bridges classified as in fair condition (subject to the minimum apportionment described below):
75% by the proportion the total cost of replacing all bridges classified in poor condition in the State bears to the total cost to replace all bridges classified in poor condition in all States; and
25% by the proportion the total cost of rehabilitating all bridges classified in fair condition in the State bears to the total cost to rehabilitate all bridges classified in fair condition in all States. [eighth proviso]
For purpose of this formula, directs the Secretary to determine replacement and rehabilitation costs based on the average unit costs of bridges from 2016 through 2020, as submitted by the States to FHWA as required by 23 U.S.C. 144(b)(5), and the total deck area of bridges classified in poor or fair condition based on the National Bridge Inventory as of December 31, 2020.
Guarantees each State a minimum annual BFP apportionment of $45 million.
Post-Apportionment Set-Asides: Sets aside 15% of each State’s BFP apportionment for use on “off-system” bridges (highway bridges located on public roads, other than bridges located on Federal-aid highways).
The funds are apportioned to States by formula. For information on IIJA apportionments by State, please see the links below:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act/funding.cfm?_gl=1*1jchsao*_ga*ODU0MjExMTYzLjE3MDU2MDU0MTU.*_ga_VW1SFWJKBB*czE3NTUxMDA5NTgkbzM0MyRnMSR0MTc1NTEwMTAyOSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.
COST SHARING DETAILS:
The Federal share payable for the BFP (except for off-system bridges as described below) shall be determined in accordance with section 120 of Title 23, U.S.C. However, the application of the increased Federal share under 23 U.S.C. 120(c)(1) to funds from this apportionment is not subject to the cap on such uses that applies to funds apportioned under 23 U.S.C. 104.
The Federal share for costs reimbursed with funds under the BFP for an off-system highway bridge owned by a county, town, township, city, municipality or other local agency, or federally-recognized Tribe shall be 100 percent.