The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced an open call for projects under the Federal Local Bridge Program (FLBP), with approximately $100 million anticipated to be available. This program supports the improvement of bridge conditions through replacement, rehabilitation, and preventative maintenance. Additionally, it promotes the use of asset management strategies to extend the service life of local agency-owned bridges.

Eligible applicants include all local agency bridge owners whose structures are reported to the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) and subject to the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). To qualify, structures must be over 20 feet in length and carry public vehicular traffic. Closed bridges may also qualify if they have been closed for fewer than five years and otherwise meet the NBI reportability criteria.

Project types fall into three main categories: (1) Replacement and rehabilitation, (2) Preventative maintenance, and (3) Bundled preventative maintenance projects. Replacement and rehabilitation projects must address bridges in poor condition or improve climate resiliency, with a maximum award of $25 million per structure. Preventative maintenance projects include activities such as scour mitigation, steel bridge painting, deck resurfacing, and seismic retrofitting. Bundled projects allow agencies to combine several similar maintenance projects into one application and are evaluated on a case-by-case funding basis. There are no local match requirements for federally eligible expenditures across all categories.

Proposals will be reviewed for completeness, eligibility, and compliance with bridge inspection and maintenance standards. WSDOT may issue early awards for projects that are construction-ready. A prioritized list of recommended projects will be submitted by September 30, 2025, to the WSDOT Local Programs Director and reviewed by the Bridge Advisory Committee.

Applications must be submitted electronically to hlpgrants@wsdot.wa.gov by midnight on Friday, April 25, 2025. Required attachments include completed project application forms (WSDOT Form 140-007), recent inspection reports, electronic photos, and any relevant supplemental documentation such as scour plans, seismic evaluations, and bridge designs.

Applicants are required to report at least semi-annually on project status and expenditures. For further assistance, contact Sonia Lowry, PE, at sonia.lowry@wsdot.wa.gov or 360-705-7870, or William Wonch at william.wonch@wsdot.wa.gov or 360-705-7379.