INFRA Program Distributes $626.7 Million Across Two Tracks with Mandatory Rural Set-Asides for Truck Parking

The Department of Transportation's Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects program is accepting applications for two separate tracks of funding totaling $626.7 million. Track 1 uses $426.7 million in FY 2023 and FY 2024 funds for conventional surface transportation projects of national or regional significance. Track 2 dedicates $200 million from FY 2026 appropriations exclusively to projects that provide public parking for commercial motor vehicles, with a statutory requirement that at least 25 percent of Track 2 funds go to rural projects. Track 1 applications are due July 1, 2026; Track 2 applications are due July 15, 2026.

Assistance Listing Number: 20.934
Opportunity Identification Number: NSMFHP-26-INFRA
Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary
Application Deadline: July 1, 2026(track 1); July 15, 2026 (track2)

Eligible Institutional Structures and Geographic Priorities

Eligible applicants include states or groups of states, metropolitan planning organizations serving urbanized areas over 200,000, units of local government, political subdivisions, special purpose districts with transportation functions including port authorities, Federal land management agencies applying jointly with states, tribal governments, and multi-state corridor organizations. For Track 2 commercial motor vehicle parking, eligible applicants may partner with private entities to fund facility development, though no fees may be charged to commercial drivers for parking constructed with these funds.

Track 2 has three statutory set-asides that benefit rural areas: at least 50 percent of the $200 million is reserved for small projects, at least 30 percent of the small project reserve ($30 million) must go to rural small projects, and at least 25 percent of the total CMV parking appropriation ($50 million) must go to rural projects overall. Each applicant may submit only one application total.

Financial Mechanics and Match Requirements

Track 1 minimum award sizes are $25 million for large projects and $5 million for small projects. Track 2 minimum award sizes are the same. INFRA grants may cover up to 60 percent of future eligible project costs; total federal assistance may not exceed 80 percent for most states, though states with population density at or below 80 persons per square mile may qualify for higher federal shares reaching 90 to 95 percent under 23 U.S.C. 120(b). A benefit-cost analysis is required for all applications. Applicants should include scalable project options to help DOT maximize fund utilization.

Administrative Compliance and Post Award Oversight

Awards are administered under 2 CFR Part 200. Build America Buy America requirements apply to all INFRA projects, covering steel, iron, manufactured products, and construction materials. NEPA review status is a critical evaluated factor: projects without completed NEPA or a credible completion plan are rated High Risk and receive a Not Recommended overall rating. The FY 2024 funds carry an obligation deadline of September 30, 2027, which DOT applies to all Track 1 evaluations regardless of fiscal year.

Semi-annual Federal Financial Reports and outcome performance reports are required post-award. Anti-discrimination certifications under Executive Order 14173 are required as conditions of award. INFRA grants are reimbursement-based; costs incurred before a grant agreement is executed are not eligible unless DOT authorizes them in writing after the award announcement.