USDOT receives $9.8 billion in FASTLANE grant project applications

Traffic on highwayThe U.S. Department of Transportation has received 212 applications valued at $9.8 billion for the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program. There is only $800 million available for the program for fiscal year 2016.

The program was made possible by a provision in the FAST Act called the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects program. This is designed to fund both small and large projects based on size and meeting certain requirements, and is authorized for $4.5 billion through 2020.

“Transportation creates jobs and makes jobs of the future possible. We know there is pent up demand for projects that will speed up the delivery of goods and make America even more competitive. Today, we have even more evidence,” says Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.  “We’re going to do our best to support high impact transportation projects that will lay a new foundation for job creation and exporting American made goods throughout the world.”

USDOT says 136 of the applications are projects in urban areas and the remaining 76 are in rural areas. Applications were to be submitted by April 14 and the agency says it is current reviewing “all eligible applications.”

More details on the FASTLANE program is available here.