USDOT will award $292.7 million in port grants

The Port Infrastructure Development Program makes $200 million available for all coastal seaports and an additional $92.7 million for the top 15.

   The U.S. Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced a notice of funding opportunity to apply for $292.7 million in discretionary grant funding through the Port Infrastructure Development Program.
   February’s Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 made available the funds for the new program, which includes $200 million for infrastructure improvements at all coastal seaports and an additional $92.7 million for the 15 seaports that handled the greatest number of loaded foreign and domestic TEUs of containerized cargo in 2016 as identified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
   Investments will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects located either within the boundary of a coastal seaport or outside the boundary of the coastal seaport directly related to port operations or an intermodal connection to the port. The minimum award size is $10 million, with a federal share not to exceed 80%.
   “This major investment in the Port Infrastructure Development Program will help strengthen, modernize and improve our country’s maritime systems and gateway ports,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said in the announcement.
   The Transportation Department said in the announcement it anticipates funding at least one project that advances each of the following outcomes:
   • Advance technology-supported safety and design efficiency improvements;
   • Improve state of good repair and resiliency;
   • Promote efficient energy trade;
   • Promote manufacturing, agriculture or other forms of exports;
   • And for only the top 15 coastal ports, a project that supports the safe flow of agricultural and food products, free of pests and disease, domestically and internationally.
   The deadline to submit the application is Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. EDT.