US DOT Approved 76 Grants for Infrastructure Projects

DOT Approved Grants Push $607M into Infrastructure Projects

The U.S. DOT approved 76 new infrastructure grants totaling more than $607 million. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy revealed the update last Monday as part of the ongoing effort to reduce the backlog of pending grants left from the previous administration.

DOT Approved Projects Aim to Clear Backlog

The Department reports that over 3,200 grants were previously announced but never obligated. These delayed projects stalled critical infrastructure work across the country. Since the new administration took office, 405 grants have now been DOT approved, amounting to nearly $5 billion—roughly 13% of the inherited backlog.

To speed up this process, the DOT has removed certain policy requirements—such as greenhouse gas reporting and diversity mandates—that were not explicitly required by Congress. The Department claims this move is helping reduce costs and get projects moving faster.

Key Areas of DOT Approved Spending

The newly approved grants span a wide variety of transportation sectors. While some funding will go toward airports and public transit, many projects directly support freight transportation and road safety—both essential to the trucking industry.

Highlights from the approved funding include:

• $33 million for culvert removal and replacement to keep roadways safe and passable

• $126 million for wildlife crossings to reduce vehicle-animal collisions

• $36 million for removing hazardous railroad crossings

• $188 million through the INFRA program for major freight and highway infrastructure

• $7 million for port improvements that could help reduce trucking bottlenecks

These DOT approved grants are expected to improve the movement of goods, ease congestion, and create safer routes for commercial drivers across the country.

What This Means for Truck Drivers

Many of the DOT approved projects focus on areas that are directly linked to the trucking industry. For example, INFRA funding typically supports highway and bridge improvements on major freight routes. These upgrades can lead to smoother, faster travel for truckers and fewer delays caused by road conditions or construction zones.

Culvert repairs and replacements play a crucial role in keeping rural routes open year-round, particularly during heavy rain or snow. Wildlife crossings help reduce the risk of animal-vehicle collisions—a hazard that often results in serious damage when large trucks are involved.

Additionally, improvements at ports and rail crossings can significantly lower wait times and improve delivery schedules for long-haul drivers.

Regulatory Changes Behind DOT Approved Grants

The DOT says one reason for the recent wave of DOT approved grants is a change in how projects are reviewed and funded. Several requirements from the last administration—including environmental impact accounting and equity language—have been removed.

According to the DOT, these requirements added months to the review process and increased construction costs. By eliminating them, the Department says it is helping reduce delays and move projects into construction more quickly.

For truck drivers, faster project timelines can mean fewer roadblocks, detours, and wait times—making it easier to stick to schedules and improve delivery efficiency.

Breakdown of the Approved Grants

The $607 million in DOT approved grants has been divided among several federal transportation agencies and programs:

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

• National Culvert Program: 8 projects – $33 million

• Wildlife Crossings: 17 projects – $126 million

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

• Railroad Crossing Elimination: 12 projects – $36 million

• Rail Safety Improvements: 1 project – $59 million

Maritime Administration (MARAD)

• Port Infrastructure: 1 project – $7 million

Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST-P)

• INFRA: 2 projects – $188 million

• BUILD: 2 projects – $19 million

• Safe Streets for All (SS4A): 15 projects – $3.4 million

Other funding includes airport and transit improvements, though those have a smaller impact on the freight and trucking sectors.

More Approvals Expected

The DOT has stated that it will continue working through the remaining backlog of grants, which still includes thousands of projects awaiting final funding. Future rounds of DOT approved infrastructure investment are expected to follow the same streamlined review process.

For the trucking industry, these ongoing approvals may result in better road conditions, safer routes, and improved access to freight corridors. As more projects break ground, commercial drivers may begin to see real improvements in travel time, fuel efficiency, and overall working conditions on the road.