The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant opens for another round of funding

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has released its FY24 notice of funding opportunity for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to reconnect communities that have been harmed, isolated, and cut off from opportunity by transportation infrastructure. Funding for this fiscal year FY24 is a combined allocation of FY 2024, 2025, and 2026. Up to $607 million total is available for planning ($150 million), capital construction ($457 million), and technical assistance (no cost). Award maximum is $2 million for planning grants. Capital construction grant minimums are $5 million with an expected $100 million maximum.

The Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Grant Program seeks to improve access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation. Its main goal is to help disadvantaged communities that were hurt by these old projects. RCP projects do this by removing, retrofitting, or replacing a structure that divides the community. The benefits of RCP projects include:

• Reconnecting communities that were split up by things like highways, train tracks, abandoned buildings, shopping centers, or factories.
• Making transportation safer and fairer for everyone.
• Helping the environment and fighting climate change.
• Creating good jobs and helping people make more money.

For planning grants, eligible applicants are a State, a unit of local government, a Tribal government, a Metropolitan Planning Organization, or a non-profit organization. For capital construction grants, the applicant must be the owner of the proposed project facility in question, and may submit a joint application with a State, a unit of local government, a Tribal government, a Metropolitan Planning Organization, or a non-profit organization.

Planning Grants

Up to $2 million (80% RCP, 20% local)

• For: Public engagement, feasibility studies, planning
• Examples: Traffic studies, design alternatives, impact assessments, cost estimates
• Other activities: Engineering, land use planning, housing, climate resilience, local culture preservation

Capital Construction Grants

$5-100 million (50% RCP, up to 80% total federal, 20% local)

• For: Removing, changing, or replacing existing facilities
• Eligible activities:
  • Design and environmental studies
  • Construction and preconstruction
  • Permitting and NEPA process
  • Community involvement
  • Delivering community benefits