The U.S. Department of Transportation's Build America Bureau recently announced an increase in funding for the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program.
The Build America Bureau will increase funding for the program by $24 million, for a total of $34 million, according to an April 27 news release. The RIA Program aims to expedite the delivery of transportation infrastructure projects through innovative financing and delivery methods, including public-private partnerships.
“The 10 current Accelerators across the country have created capacity at local levels to explore effective and efficient solutions that are moving their critical infrastructure projects forward,” Build America Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajian said in the release.
The program will designate Accelerators that will serve defined geographic areas, provide technical resources and fund planning and development activities, the release reported. The Bureau previously awarded $10 million to 10 Accelerators across the country. The Accelerators assist in project planning, evaluating innovative financing, accessing technical assistance and best practices and developing a pipeline of projects ready for investment.
“The department is pleased to offer more grant funding for communities across the nation to move their transportation projects forward, connecting people to opportunities,” Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg said in the release. “These funds help regions better compete for discretionary grants through implementation of innovative solutions and potentially seek financing to accelerate delivery of those solutions.”
Betz Mayer, assistant director of the RIA/Program Manager at Pacific Northwest Economic Region, said the program helped PNWER to "begin coordinating public and private sector co-investment in zero emission refueling infrastructure for drayage trucks serving the ports of Seattle and Tacoma," the release said.
She noted the RIA program also helped PNWER "to contribute to a successful federal grant application in Washington for a highway-rail grade separation project," according to the release.
Applications for the program are due by May 30, the release reported.
