The USDOT reported that the types of projects eligible for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants are:
• Capital Projects, such as:
—Highway or bridge projects eligible under title 23, United States Code.
—Public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code.
—Passenger and freight rail transportation projects.
—Port infrastructure investments (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry).
—The surface transportation components of an airport project eligible for assistance under part B of subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code.
—Intermodal projects whose component parts are otherwise an eligible project type.
—Projects to replace or rehabilitate a culvert or prevent stormwater runoff for the purpose of improving habitat for aquatic species while advancing the goals of the RAISE program.
—Projects investing in surface transportation facilities that are located on Tribal land and for which title or maintenance responsibility is vested in the federal government.
—Any other surface transportation infrastructure project that the USDOT Secretary considers to be necessary to advance the goals of the program: public road and non-motorized projects that are not otherwise eligible under title 23, United States Code; surface transportation components of transit-oriented development projects; and surface transportation components of mobility on-demand projects that expand access and reduce transportation cost burden.
• Planning Projects, such as:
—Planning, preparation, or design of eligible surface transportation capital projects described in the Capital Projects section that will not result in construction with FY 2025 RAISE funding. For example: environmental analysis, equity analysis, community engagement, feasibility studies, benefit-cost analysis, and other pre-construction activities.
—Development of master plans, comprehensive plans, transportation corridor plans, and integrated economic development, land use, housing, and transportation plans.
—Zero emissions plan for transit fleet.
—Planning activities related to the development of a multimodal freight corridor, including those that seek to reduce conflicts with residential areas and with passenger and non-motorized traffic.
—Planning activities related to zero emission goods movement.
—Development of port and regional port planning, including state-wide or multi-port planning within a single jurisdiction or region.
—Risk assessments and planning to identify vulnerabilities and address the transportation system’s ability to withstand probable occurrence or recurrence of an emergency or major disaster.
RAISE projects are reviewed and evaluated on statutory criteria of safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity; state of good repair; innovation; and partnership and collaboration, according to the USDOT, which noted that for each of the criterion, it will consider whether the benefits are “clear, direct and data driven.”
Eligible applicants include states and the District of Columbia; any territory or possession of the United States; a unit of local government; a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more states; a special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, including a port authority; a federally recognized Indian Tribe or a consortium of such Indian Tribes; a transit agency; and a multi-state or multi-jurisdictional group of entities that are separately eligible.
According to the USDOT, RAISE grant awards are capped at $25 million. Applicants submitting capital grant applications for projects located in rural areas must request at least $1 million in RAISE funding; for projects located in urban areas, applicants must request at least $5 million in RAISE funding. There is no minimum funding request requirement for planning grant applications. Applicants may submit a total of three project applications (planning and/or capital) for RAISE grants.
There are two rounds of selections for the RAISE grant program:
- Round 1: The USDOT said it is reserving a portion of the $1.5 billion for “Highly Rated applications” that were not selected under the FY 2024 RAISE NOFO and designated FY 2024 Projects of Merit. FY 2024 Projects of Merit not selected for award under Round 1 must submit a revised application to be considered under Round 2. Round 1 selections are expected to be announced by Jan. 13, 2025.
- Round 2: The USDOT will make a second round of selections using a portion of the $1.5 billion. It noted that “all FY 2025 annual appropriations amounts are subject to availability of funding,” and it “cannot guarantee that Congress will appropriate additional funding to RAISE via a future FY 2025 appropriation.” All interested applicants must submit applications no later than 11:59 pm ET on Jan. 30, 2025. Round 2 selections are expected to be announced no later than June 28, 2025.
For more information, scroll down to download the NOFO and visit the USDOT’s FAQ website.
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) in the most recent issue of its Views & News email newsletter reminded members that they should apply through a public partner. RAISE grants, it said, have funded short line projects in every cycle. “Since 2018, 27 projects benefiting short lines have been funded, totaling $364 million in awards,“ the association reported. “A wide range of short line project types have received RAISE awards, including projects for weight capacity improvements; speed improvements; bridge rehabilitation and replacement; grade crossing improvements and separations; rail infrastructure at ports; and yard and transload facilities. Locomotive replacement projects are an eligible activity under the RAISE program. The competitiveness of these applications depends on alignment of the project with evaluation criteria and program considerations. RAISE funds can also be used to pay subsidy or credit risk premium and administrative costs associated with DOT RRIF rail loans.”
ASLRRA also noted that applicants to RAISE “should be careful to thoroughly address all the evaluation criteria elements in their applications exactly as specified in the NOFO. Cost effectiveness is a criterion of the program, making the benefit-cost analysis (BCA) an important component. Applicants can expect their BCAs to receive a close and critical examination. When developing project schedules, applicants also need to pay attention to statutory deadlines in the program for executing the federal grant agreement and then completing their project.”
