by Kate Roetzer

On June 26, 2024, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced $1.8 billion in awards from the 2024 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program, funding 148 projects nationwide.

This announcement brings the total amount of RAISE grants awarded to more than $7.2 billion for over 550 projects across the country.

Previously known as TIGER and BUILD grants, the competitive and popular RAISE program supports a diverse slate of communities with projects of local and regional significance. The program invests in transportation projects across modes that improve safety, environmental sustainability, community connectivity, and economic development.

The RAISE program, which was authorized at $1.5 billion a year on top of already appropriated funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, had a total of $1.8 billion available this year. Even still, demand for the RAISE grant funding far outpaced available funds, with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) receiving almost $13 billion in requests this year alone.

In its press release, the U.S. DOT highlighted that “From improving road safety to revitalizing communities and creating economic opportunity, all 50 states, four territories, and the District of Columbia will receive RAISE grants this year.“ In addition, USDOT notes this year’s funding is split equally between urban and rural areas, with a large percentage of grants support regions defined as historically disadvantaged or areas of persistent poverty. 

The full list of 2024 RAISE grant projects can be found here: https://www.transportation.gov/grants/raise/raise-2024-award-fact-sheets

Find out more about the RAISE grant program here: https://www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants

You can keep up to date on all USDOT discretionary grants by using the USDOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard, which aims to help communities identify discretionary grant opportunities to meet their transportation infrastructure needs. In addition, the USDOT Navigator is a resource to help communities understand the best ways to apply for grants, and to plan for and deliver infrastructure projects and services.