Municipal Bridge Replacement Program Applications Open

Austin W. Musser

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) administers Ohio’s Municipal Bridge Program. In April, the state announced a large increase in the annual funding for this program, meaning that the program should have significantly more funding available for the next five years. This program allocates up to $2 million of federal funding per project to certain eligible entities (including municipalities, metroparks and regional transit authorities) seeking to replace, repair or demolish eligible bridges. To be eligible for funding under this program, a bridge must generally (1) be owned by an eligible entity; (2) be open to vehicular traffic;  (3) be greater than 20 feet in length; (4) have a sufficiency rating of 80 or less; (5) have a general appraisal of 5 or less; and (6) be structurally deficient. If a project is awarded funds, ODOT will contribute between 80 and 95 percent of eligible construction costs and there is a local match requirement. ODOT has already prepared a list of bridges it has identified as eligible for the program, but more bridges not on the list may also be eligible.

The application process is online, and the 2022 application cycle will close August 15. For more information on the application process, the scoring system, and guidance for the program, visit ODOT’s website.