Fiscal Year 2026 Type 3 Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Competitive Grant Program
🏛 DOT Federal Highway Administration
Can you apply?
This grant is for replacement or rehabilitation of county-owned Type 3 bridges that cross water conveyance structures owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR).
Only counties with Type 3 bridges crossing USBR facilities are eligible. Type 3 bridges are non-USBR-owned structures over 20 feet in length (or 6-20 feet if bridge-like) crossing USBR dams, canals, or associated facilities.
Eligible applicants must be located in 17 Western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Projects must meet Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) standards and include bridge replacement or rehabilitation work.
Program description
The purpose of the BIT3 Program is to fund the replacement or rehabilitation of county-owned bridges that are classified as Type 3 bridges[1] by the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and cross a water conveyance structure owned by USBR.
Eligible applicants under the BIT3 Competitive Grant Program are counties which own a Type 3 bridge crossing a water conveyance structure owned by USBR.
Projects eligible for funding are projects for the replacement or rehabilitation of bridges that: (A) are owned by a county; (B) are classified as a Type 3 bridge by USBR; (C) are eligible under the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) (23 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 204); and (D) cross a water conveyance structure owned by USBR.
The BIT3 Competitive Grant Program does not require a minimum cost share. The Federal share for BIT3 Competitive Grant Program funds shall be 100 percent of funds requested for eligible project scope.
[1] Type 3 bridge means any non-USBR-owned bridge over 20 feet in length, or bridge-like structure between 6 and 20 feet in length, that crosses a USBR dam, associated facility, power facility, or land interest (Reclamation Manual Directives and Standards FAC 07-01, as updated on June 9, 2023). An associated facility means all remaining Reclamation facilities other than high- and significant-hazard potential dams. Types of associated facilities include: carriage, distribution, and drainage systems [canals]; pumping and pump-generating plants; tunnels; penstocks, siphons, and pipelines; diversion and storage dams (low-hazard potential) and regulating reservoirs; fish passage and protective facilities, including hatcheries; river channelization features; rural/municipal water systems; desalting and other water treatment plants; facilities constructed under past loan programs; and recreation facilities (Reclamation Manual Directives and Standards FAC 01-04, as updated on April 13, 2020).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (federal application form)
- Project narrative describing bridge condition and scope of work
- Budget narrative and cost estimate
- USBR bridge classification documentation
- County ownership verification
- Proof of FLAP eligibility
- Engineering assessment or feasibility study
Program contact
- 👤 Veronica R Jacobson Grantor
- 📧 BIT3@dot.gov
- 📞 720-963-3020
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 20.198 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 20.198). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2026 est. | $25,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Only counties that own a Type 3 bridge crossing a USBR water conveyance structure. The bridge and county must be in one of 17 Western states.
What is a Type 3 bridge?
A non-USBR-owned bridge over 20 feet long, or 6-20 feet if bridge-like, that crosses a USBR dam, canal, or associated facility.
What projects are eligible?
Replacement or rehabilitation of qualifying Type 3 bridges. Projects must meet Federal Lands Access Program standards.
Is cost sharing required?
No. The federal share is 100 percent of eligible project costs. No local match is required.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is July 16, 2026. Awards range from $1 million to $25 million.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Confirm USBR classification of your bridge as Type 3 before investing application time. Contact USBR directly if needed.
- Verify your project meets Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) eligibility under 23 U.S.C. § 204.
- Provide detailed documentation of bridge condition, ownership, and USBR facility crossing requirements.
- Allow time for coordination with USBR staff to confirm bridge specifications and water conveyance structure details.
- Start early: bridge engineering assessments and USBR communications take time before application submission.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying for a bridge not classified as Type 3 by USBR or that doesn't cross a USBR facility. Submitting projects that don't meet Federal Lands Access Program requirements. Underestimating the time needed for USBR coordination and bridge classification verification.
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