Technical Assistance for Counties: USDOT Competitive Grant Lifecycle

Counties stand to receive a healthy infusion of funding to address bridges under the surface transportation bill, BUILD America 250 Act.

Research released today by the National Association of Counties (NACo) underscores a national road funding crisis and the large role counties play in the U.S. transportation network, as infrastructure investment needs outpace available revenue due to aging infrastructure, rising construction costs and weakened purchasing power. The American Society of Civil Engineers projects a $684 billion national funding shortfall for roads over the next decade, of which counties own a significant share. 

On May 17, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) introduced the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act (BUILD America 250 Act), a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize surface transportation programs through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for five years. After continuous advocacy from NACo, county leaders and coalition partners, the BUILD America 250 Act contains a number of key county priorities.

On April 20, NACo endorsed the Build Housing, Unlock Benefits and Services (Build HUBS) Act (H.R. 7062/S. 3636). 

On April 23, NACo submitted a response to a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on its Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative. Given the predominantly rural nature of counties and the important role that counties play in our nation’s transportation system, NACo is uniquely positioned to provide important feedback to USDOT on this topic.

On April 8, NACo endorsed the Railroad Responsibility Act of 2025 (H.R. 341). Led by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), this important legislation grants states the authority to regulate blocked at-grade railroad crossings. Delays caused by extended blocked train crossing create safety and connectivity concerns by increasing emergency response times and disrupting traffic.