Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To finance projects of national or regional significance by filling market gaps and leveraging substantial non-Federal and private co-investment. Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) credit assistance is intended to facilitate the financing of projects that would otherwise have been significantly delayed because of funding limitations or difficulties accessing the capital markets. Through TIFIA, the USDOT provides Federal credit assistance to eligible highway, transit, passenger rail, intermodal freight (including access to seaports), surface transportation facilities at airports, rural infrastructure, and transit-oriented development projects.
This Assistance Listing 20.952 created in August 2025 was included in the previous ALN 20.223, please refer to former ALN 20.223 for FY24 and FY25 financial obligations. The new Assistance Listing 20.952 will be utilized by DOT at the start of FY 2026.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. State Government
- Interstate Organization
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- Municipality/Township Government
- County Government
- Local Government Consortium
- Airport Authority
- Port Authority
- Transit Authority
- Other Special District Government
- Local
- State
- Tribal
Public or private entities seeking to finance, design, construct, own, or operate an eligible surface transportation project may apply for TIFIA assistance. Examples of such entities include state departments of transportation; local governments; transit agencies; special authorities; special districts; railroad companies; and private firms or consortia that may include companies specializing in engineering, construction, materials, and/or the operation of transportation facilities.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
USDOT will evaluate applications and advise applicants of approval or disapproval as required by statute. Final approval authority is reserved by the Secretary of Transportation. The USDOT then negotiates terms and conditions of the TIFIA credit instrument, which, if executed by the Borrower, will set forth the criteria for the subsequent disbursement of TIFIA loan proceeds.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 60 to 90 days
After a complete application has been filed with all supporting documents, processing time is approximately 60 to 90 days. The average time to execute a TIFIA credit agreement from the date of Secretarial approval is 1 to 6 months.
Program details & compliance
Description
The TIFIA Credit Program provides flexible, low-interest financing for various eligible surface transportation projects and project sponsors throughout the United States. Because the TIFIA Program offers credit assistance, rather than grant funding, its potential users are infrastructure projects capable of pledging revenue streams generated through user charges or other dedicated funding sources.
Mission Categories
Primary: Highways, Public Roads, and Bridges
Other categories:
Urban Mass TransitAir TransportationRail Transportation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Eligible projects include highway, transit, passenger rail, intercity bus vehicles and facilities, certain port facilities, surface transportation facilities at airports, rural infrastructure projects, transit-oriented development projects, and any other type of project that is eligible for grant assistance under Title 23 or Chapter 53 of Title 49 of the United States Code. Additionally, TIFIA credit assistance may be used to capitalize State Infrastructure Banks to fund rural infrastructure projects. TIFIA credit assistance is available in the form of either secured (direct) loans, loan guarantees, and standby lines of credit. Specific cost eligibility is determined by USDOT prior to approving a loan application.
Restrictions
Examples of costs that are ineligible for funding include TIFIA debt service reserve amounts, Project Sponsor opportunity costs, and the USDOT's costs of various advisory services to review TIFIA Letters of Interest and Loan Applications. However, specific cost eligibility is determined by USDOT prior to approving a loan application.
Required Documentation
All applicants must demonstrate relevant experience, strong qualifications, a sound project approach, all necessary funding commitments, and a project that can demonstrate financial feasibility. Applicants also must meet various Federal standards for participation in a Federal credit program. For example, applicant may not be delinquent or in default on any Federal debts. Such requirements will be specified in the contractual documents between the USDOT and each applicant.
Matching Requirements
Matching requirements are necessary due to statutory limitations. A TIFIA loan cannot exceed 49% of total eligible project costs, and total Federal financial assistance (such as other grants or a RRIF loan in addition to a TIFIA loan) cannot exceed 80% of total eligible project costs. Other matching requirements may be applicable depending on the type of project.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements