$600 Million Available for Capital Construction and Community Planning

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the next round of its Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program. The RCP aims to reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, with a focus on benefiting disadvantaged communities.

Applications for funding are due September 30th, 2024.

The RCP program allocates $607 million over fiscal years 2024-2026, with $150 million for planning grants and $457 million for capital construction grants. Eligible applicants for planning grants include states, local governments, tribal governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and non-profits.
Applications are prioritized based on:

• Equity and Justice40 (i.e., will benefit disadvantaged communities)
• Access
• Facility Suitability
• Community Engagement, and Community-based Stewardship, Management, and Partnerships
• Equitable Development
• Climate Change Mitigation and/or Adaptation and Resilience
• Workforce Development and Economic Opportunity
• Planning Integration

Capital construction projects require a benefit-cost analysis (BCA). Projects eligible for funding under the RCP program may also be eligible for other funds under formula programs or discretionary grant programs. Examples of projects previously funded are available in this StoryMap from U.S. DOT.