Call for Projects: Transportation Authority

Call for Projects: Transportation Authority 

There are no Transportation Authority Calls for Projects currently open.

Call for Projects: Other Funding Opportunities

Call for Projects: Other Funding Opportunities

Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program

Application deadline: August 28, 2024

The Federal Highway Administration announced the availability of $1.3 billion from the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI). This competitive grant program aims to make modern and sustainable infrastructure accessible to all drivers of electric, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas vehicles. Projects should strategically deploy electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations, including downtown areas and local neighborhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities. Funding is available under two grant categories: Community Charging and Fueling Grants (Community Program); and (2) Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants (Corridor Program). Eligible applicants include States or political subdivision of States; metropolitan planning organizations; units of local governments; special purpose districts or public authorities with a transportation function, including port authorities. The CFI will prioritize funding for projects that address environmental justice, that are in low- and moderate-income areas, that reduce GHGs, and that support the creation of good-paying jobs. For the Community Program, the minimum grant award is $500,000 and the maximum award is $15 million. For the Corridor Program, the minimum grant award is $1 million, and there is no maximum award. Required local match is 20%. 

Enhancing Mobility Innovation (Public Transportation Innovation Program)

Application deadline: August 30, 2024

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the availability of $1.936 million in FY 2024 funds for the Enhancing Mobility Innovation (Public Transportation Innovation Program). The Enhancing Mobility Innovation program advances a vision of mobility for all – safe, reliable, equitable, and accessible services that support complete trips by promoting technology projects that focus on the traveler experience and encouraging people to get on board, such as integrated fare payment systems and user-friendly software for demand-response public transportation. The funds for this program are for competitive cooperative agreement awards for projects that enhance mobility innovations for transit. Eligible projects include projects that advance emerging technologies, strategies, and innovations in traveler-centered mobility in two distinct areas. Eligible applicants include: providers of public transportation, including public transportation agencies, state or local government DOTs, and federally recognized Indian tribes; private for-profit and not-for-profit organizations incorporated in a jurisdiction of the United States, including shared-use mobility providers, private operators of transportation services, technology system suppliers and integrators, bus or vehicle manufacturers or suppliers, software and technology developers, financial institutions, consultants, research consortia, and industry organizations; state, city, or local government entities, including multi-jurisdictional partnerships, and organizations such as metropolitan planning organizations; or institutions of higher education, including large research universities, particularly those with Minority Serving Institution status.

Of the total available funds, $968,000 is available for projects to accelerate innovations that improve mobility and enhance the rider experience with a focus on innovative service delivery models, creative financing, novel partnerships, and integrated payment solutions. Another $968,000 is available for projects to develop software solutions that facilitate the provision of integrated demand-response public transportation service that dispatches public transportation fleet vehicles through riders’ mobile devices or other means. The maximum Federal share of project costs under this program is 80 percent. 

Technical Assistance and Workforce Development

Application deadline: August 30, 2024

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the availability of $2.5 million in FY 2024 to establish a Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) National Technical Assistance Center (CCAM TA Center) that supports CCAM members, Federal agencies, their grantees, partners, and stakeholders in improving transportation access for people with disabilities, older adults, and individuals of low income. The overarching mission of this new center is to promote and facilitate human services transportation, public transit, and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) coordination that advances people's access to everyday destinations. Eligible lead applicants are national nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated capacity to advance technical assistance strategies that support CCAM members, Federal agencies, their grantees, partners, and stakeholders as they work to develop multisector coordination and strategic partnerships around human services transportation. The FTA will award one cooperative agreement, funded up to $2.5 million for the first year with a start date in 2024 to be determined. The maximum Federal share of project costs under this program is 100 percent.

Railroad Crossing Elimination Program

Application deadline: September 23, 2024

The US Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration announced $1.1 billion from the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program for FY24. The purpose of the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program is to provide funding for highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. Eligible applicants include states; political subdivisions of a state; federally recognized Indian Tribes; unit of local government or a group of local governments; public port authorities; metropolitan planning organizations; or a group of the aforementioned entities. Eligible projects include grade separation or closure, including through the use of a bridge, embankment, tunnel, or combination thereof; track relocation; improvement or installation of protective devices, signals, signs, or other; measures to improve safety related to a separation, closure, or track relocation project; other means to improve the safety if related to the mobility of people and goods at highway-rail grade crossings (including technological solutions); the planning, environmental review, and design of an eligible project type. There is no award maximum and the award minimum is $1 million, except for planning projects. The Federal share of total project costs shall not exceed 80%. 

Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods

Application deadline: September 30, 2024

Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program: The US Department of Transportation has announced the availability of $607 million in FY 2024-2026 competitive grant funds for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program. RCP Program is awarded on a competitive basis for projects that reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development. Funding is available in two grant categories: Community Planning Grants: Eligible projects fund the study of removing, retrofitting, or mitigating an existing facility to restore community connectivity; public engagement; and other transportation planning activities. $50 million is available from RCP annually for FY24, FY25, and FY26. There is no minimum award amount, and the maximum award is $2 million. A 20% non-federal match is required. Eligible applicants include a State; a unit of local government; a Tribal government; a Metropolitan Planning Organization; or a non-profit organization. Capital Construction Grants: Eligible projects fund a project to remove, retrofit, mitigate, or to replace an existing eligible facility with a new facility that reconnects communities. $457 million is available from RCP. The minimum award is $5 million, and the maximum is $100 million. A 50% non-RCP match is required, and the total federal share of funding may not exceed 80%. Eligible applicants are owner(s) of the eligible facility proposed in the project for which all necessary feasibility studies and other planning activities have been completed, or a partnership between a facility owner and any eligible RCP Community Planning Grant applicant. 

RM3 Safe Routes to Transit and Bay Trail Program (SR2TBT)

Application deadline: October 14, 2024

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) announces the call for projects to apply for a total of up to $150,000,000 to fund bicycle and pedestrian access improvements on and in the vicinity of the state-owned toll bridges connecting to rail transit stations and ferry terminals. The SR2TBTprogram will consist of two programming cycles, with the potential for a third should any unprogrammed balances be available. A base funding amount of $50,000,000 will be available for programming in each cycle. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, transit operators, school districts, community colleges, and universities. Eligible projects include infrastructure projects that further the goals of the SR2TBT program (environmental, design, right-of-way, or construction phase), plan development, infrastructure projects with non-infrastructure components (education components), or quick-build projects. There is no award minimum and the maximum is $50,000,000. There are no matching fund requirements, however, MTC will prioritize applications that include funding from additional non-regional discretionary funding sources.

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program

Application deadline: November 21, 2024

The Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program (Community Change Grants), created by the Inflation Reduction Act, offers an unprecedented $2 billion in grants under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. This historic level of support will enable communities and their partners to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now and for generations to come. There will be two tracks of funding under this opportunity. Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million - $20 million. Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million - $3 million. Grants cannot exceed 3 years in duration.

Bridge Investment Program

Application deadline: August 1, 2025

Bridge Investment Program: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced the availability of up to $9.62 billion in Large Bridge Project competitive grant funding for FYs 2023-2026 of the Bridge Investment Program (BIP). The program focuses on existing bridges to reduce the overall number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition. Eligible projects must have already completed preliminary engineering. Eligible applicants include a state or a group of states; a metropolitan planning organization; a unit of local government or a group of local governments; a political subdivision of a state or local government; a special purpose district or a public authority with a transportation function. The minimum grant award is $50 million and the maximum award is 50 percent of the total eligible project costs up to $3 billion. 

Bay Area Vanpool Program

Application period: Continuous

MTC’s recently established Bay Area Vanpool Program is offering direct subsidies to new and existing vanpools, thanks to an infusion of over $9.5 million approved by MTC in July of 2018 for the next five years. Qualifying vanpools that rent their vehicles through Enterprise (the preferred vendor for the Vanpool Program) are eligible for a $350/month subsidy. Vanpoolers can pay for their remaining vanpool costs with pretax dollars, further reducing the cost of their shared commute.

Learn how to join a vanpool, start a new one, or see if your existing vanpool qualifies for the subsidy.
Learn how vanpool groups can apply for subsidies.

Carl Moyer Program

Application Period: Continuous

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has up to $10 million available for the Carl Moyer Program. This program funds equipment or vehicle replacement, engine replacement, power system conversion, and battery charging or fueling infrastructure. It aims to reduce emissions in the communities most impacted by air pollution. Eligible equipment includes:

  • Trucks and Buses
  • Public School Buses
  • Off-road Equipment
  • Agricultural Equipment
  • Marine Vessels and Equipment
  • Locomotives

Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum funding amounts depend on the type of project. Projects required by law or contract are ineligible. Public or private entities that will operate the equipment within the Bay Area may apply. New project types and increased grant amounts are available for the purchase of hybrid, zero- and near-zero-emissions equipment, and for fueling and charging infrastructure as part of alternative-fuel or battery-electric project types.

Community Health Protection Grant Program

Application Period: Continuous

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has up to $40 million available for the Community Health Protection Grant Program, which follows the same guidelines as the Carl Moyer program, with a few caveats, including those projects must be in eligible areas, such as “Eastern San Francisco”. Please see the information for the Carl Moyer Program above, as well as the Air District Community Health Protection Grant Program website for additional information.

Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program

Application Period: Applications accepted on a rolling basis

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced $100 million available for the Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) Pilot Program. The program aims to streamline project delivery of new transit infrastructure and encourages innovative partnerships. State and local government authorities may apply. Eligible projects include fixed guideway capital projects, small start projects, or core capacity improvement projects that have not entered into a full funding grant agreement with FTA. Projects under this program must include public-private partnerships, be operated and maintained by employees of an existing public transportation provider, and have a federal share not exceeding 25 percent of the project cost. 

FTA intends to award up to eight grants under this announcement, subject to funding availability. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified whether their application was approved within 120 days of submittal.

Hybrid Voucher Incentive Program

Application Period: Continuous

The California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Hybrid Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP), provides vouchers to California purchasers and lessees of eligible zero-emission, hybrid and low NOx medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses. The program is meant to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicle technology. Voucher amounts range between $45,000 and $150,000, depending on the vehicle's weight. Increased voucher amounts are available for transit buses and vehicles that provide service in disadvantaged communities. Any purchaser of an eligible vehicle may apply for funding, with a limit of 200 vouchers per fleet. Vouchers are applied at the point of sale. A total of approximately $1.7 billion is available. The funding allocation is broken down into multiple categories:

  • HVIP Standard: $265 million
  • Zero-Emission Public Transit Buses: $70 million
  • Zero-Emission Public School Buses: $135 million
  • Zero-Emission Drayage Trucks: $157 million
  • Innovative Small E-Fleets: $35 million
  • Local Education Agency School Bus Replacement Grants: $1.125 billion, to be awarded in $225 million increments between FY 23/24 and FY 27/28.

Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust — Zero-Emission Class 8 Freight and Port Drayage Trucks Category

Application Period: Continuous

On August 18, 2020, the Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust released the first solicitation for freight and port drayage truck projects. $27 million is available on a first-come, first-served basis to fund the replacement of Class 8 freight trucks (including drayage trucks), waste haulers, dump trucks, and concrete mixers with zero emission technologies. Both public and private entities that own and operate eligible vehicles may apply. The program will fund up to 100% of project cost for government owned equipment and up to 75% of cost for non-government owned equipment. Per piece of equipment, maximum funding is $200,000. 

The program is currently oversubscribed. Applications will continue to be accepted in order to generate a back-up list of applications. Projects placed on the back-up list will only be considered if returned or additional funds become available.

Volkswagen Mitigation Trust — Zero-Emission Transit, School, and Shuttle Bus Program

Application Period: Continuous

The Volkswagen (VW) Mitigation Trust was established as part of a settlement with Volkswagen for using illegal emission testing defeat devices in certain VW vehicles, resulting in excess NOx emissions. $130 million in first come, first served funding is available to replace high-polluting transit and shuttle buses with new battery-electric or fuel-cell buses.  There is no longer funding available for school buses.  Government and non-government vehicle owners as well as agencies that lease or rent applicable buses to third parties are eligible to apply.  The old bus to be replaced must have a fuel type of gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG); an internal combustion engine; and an engine model year of 2009 or older.  The maximum funding per entity is capped at $3,250,000 and the maximum funding level for each vehicle varies based on the bus and fuel types, ranging from $160,000 to $400,000 per vehicle.  Matching funds are required for all non-government owned purchases (at least 25 percent).

Additional Resources

View Caltrans' 2021 Guide to Transportation Funding in California (PDF) for an overview of transportation funding sources and apportionments.

View Caltrans' Division of Local Assistance June 2022 Transportation Funding Opportunities Guidebook (PDF) for information about state and federal funds available for local public agency projects.

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has created a list of programs that may fund active transportation projects and elements, to serve as a resource for cities, counties and agencies looking to fund valuable active transportation projects in their communities.

Contact

For more information or assistance with Prop L or other federal, state, or regional funding opportunities, contact Anna LaForte, Deputy Director for Policy & Programming

Federal Aid Project Delivery

Introduction

This is a resource page for sponsor agencies who currently or potentially may use federal funds to implement their transportation projects in San Francisco, focusing on Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds.

Funding Opportunities

Project Delivery Policies and Status Update Reports

Federal funds come with strict timely-use-of-funds requirements, especially on the obligation and reimbursement, at various levels⁠—federal, state, and regional. It is critical for sponsors to adhere to the requirements to avoid risk of losing funds.

Caltrans Programs and Procedures References

Caltrans, with its delegated authority from FHWA, develops procedures for and conducts review of a majority of FHWA-funded projects. Also see Caltrans District 4 page and the Training Resources section (below) for materials from past training.

  • Local Assistance Program Guidelines (LAPG) provides a description of federal and state programs, including:
    • Introduction/Overview: Ch 1 Introduction/Overview (PDF); Ch 2 Financing the Federal-Aid Highway Program (PDF); Ch 3 Federal-Aid Routes & Functional Classifications
    • Most commonly used funding programs: Ch 4 Surface Transportation Program (STP); Ch 5 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ); Ch 9 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
  • Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM) describes procedures and documents required to use federal and state funds. This link gives a compilation of "packages" required by phase.
    • Introduction/Overview: Ch 1 Introduction/Overview; Ch 2 Roles/Responsibilities
    • Authorization/Agreement/Invoicing: Ch 3 Project Authorization; Ch 4 Agreements; Ch 5 Invoicing
    • Environmental: Ch 6 Environmental Procedures
    • Preliminary Engineering: Ch 7 Field Review; Ch 8 Public Hearings; Ch 9 Civil Rights and DBEs; Ch 10 Consultant Selection; Ch 11 Design Standards; Ch 12 PS&E
    • ROW/Utility Coordination: Ch 13 ROW; Ch 14 Utility Relocations
    • Construction: Ch 15 Advertise and Award; Ch 16 Administer Contracts
    • Completion (and after): Ch 17 Project Completion; Ch 18 Maintenance; Ch 19 Oversight and Process Reviews; Ch 20 Audits and Corrective Actions
    • LAPM forms in word documents
  • Updates

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

Transportation projects that receive federal funds, are subject to a federally required action, or have a regionally significant air quality impact must be included in the TIP. 

2023 TIP update 

Non-exempt project [update to reflect Plan Bay Area 2050]
Primer & latest schedule
General
  • MTC TIP page, including MTC Guide to TIP and TIP revision schedule and status (2023 TIP)
  • MTC Fund Management System (FMS, online database for TIP)
  • FMS Funding Report page, which generates reports showing obligation status by funding program by county
  • Air Quality (AQ) PM 2.5 ("fine particulate matter") Conformity Requirement: MTC, with the help of project sponsors, must conduct a project-level hot spot analysis for "projects of air quality concern."
    • MTC memo (PDF) on quantitative analysis requirement (12-12-11)
    • MTC instruction (PDF) to submit AQ PM 2.5 info (03-08-12, as part of the 2013 TIP Update)

Other Federal and State Agency Resources

Training Resources

FAQ

Contact

Nick Smith, Senior Transportation Planner