Intent of program
This program was established to:
- Assist public road jurisdictions with funding for roads on Federal-aid routes
- Assist public road jurisdictions with funding for bridges on any public road
- Provide funding for transit capital improvements
- Provide funding for eligible transportation planning activities for MPOs and RPAs and other activities eligible under 23 United States Code 133
How to Apply
Application forms can be obtained from the appropriate Regional Planning Affiliation (RPA) or Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). See this link: District transportation planners area of responsibility. The application amounts and deadlines vary according to RPA/MPO guidelines.
What types of projects are eligible?
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), allow many types of eligible projects that can be found in 23 United States Code 133 and provides for the use of federal funds to preserve and improve the condition and performance of any Federal-aid highway, bridge or tunnel project on any public road. (A Federal-aid Highway includes routes classified as a rural major collector or a collector street or any higher classification - See Interactive Map.) Surface Transportation Block Grant funds may also be used on pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and transit capital projects, including intercity bus terminals. However, an RPA or MPO may have a more restrictive list of eligible projects, and they may approve only specific uses on an individual project basis.
Note that maintenance activities and utility costs not necessitated by the project are not eligible under this program.
Federal-aid Swap Program
The Iowa Transportation Commission adopted a Federal-aid swap policy in 2018. This Federal-aid Swap Policy was amended on July 12, 2022, following passage of IIJA. 761 Iowa Administrative Code 162 allows for Swap funds to be utilized for this program, for only the items listed in the Federal-aid Swap Policy, including STBG funding awarded to cities from RPAs. All other STBG funding awarded by MPOs and RPAs shall be Federal-aid.
Project Administration
Iowa DOT does not allow Federal-aid participation in consultant or right-of-way costs for traditional highway projects funded under the STBG program that are administered by the Local Systems Bureau (LSB) Project Development Team and Field Team. Projects administered by the LSB Grant Team (such as trails) will be allowed to request participation in consultant or right-of-way costs. Refer to Local Systems I.M. 1.000, Iowa DOT Oversight of LPA Projects, for more information regarding the Administering Teams and project development oversight of various funding and project types.
Type of submittal required
Application forms can be obtained from the appropriate RPA or MPO.
Application amount – minimum/maximum
Varies according to RPA/MPO guidelines
Application deadline
RPAs and MPOs may have different deadlines for applications.
Special project requirements
Highway Projects ** Denotes also relevant for Federal-aid Swap
- Project contracts must be let by the DOT.**
- FHWA environmental concurrence is required.
- Right-of-way activities must comply with applicable state laws** and federal laws. Refer to Local Systems I.M. 3.600 for additional information.
- Plans and specifications must be prepared by an Iowa-licensed professional engineer.**
- If Federal-aid dollars are used for a consulting engineer, the Federal-aid Consultant Selection Process must be followed. Only certain types of projects allow this activity to be eligible; refer to Local Systems I.M. 3.310 for additional information.
- Design criteria for the appropriate road classification should be used.**
- DOT approval of plans and specifications is required.**
- Compliance with regulations regarding the following is required:
- federal equal employment opportunity;
- use of disadvantaged business enterprises;
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration provisions**; and
- federal (Davis-Bacon) wage rates.
For general requirements of STBG projects, and Administering Bureau information, refer to Local Systems I.M. 1.000. These general requirements include requirements related to Programming Projects, Project Development Information, Submittals to the Iowa DOT, Contract Letting, Construction Administration, and Final Acceptance and Form Distribution.
Materials testing, construction inspection and final project acceptance must be completed according to Iowa DOT procedures.
Transit projects
- Capital improvements require adherence to approved transit procurement procedures and equipment specifications.
- Federally funded projects must comply with requirements regarding:
- civil rights protections;
- use of disadvantaged business enterprises;
- competitive procurement;
- bus testing;
- pre- and post-procurement audits; and
- Buy America; and
- drug and alcohol testing.
Type of approval required
- Projects are selected through the process of adopting an RPA/MPO Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
- Note: Prior to inclusion in the TIP, counties must include projects in their County Five Year Program, which is approved by the county Board of Supervisors.
- The DOT reviews and compiles all RPA/MPO TIPs as part of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
- The DOT adopts the STIP.
- Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) give final approval of the STIP.
- FHWA must authorize highway/street/trail projects prior to proceeding with work on or advertisement of the project for receipt of bids.
Transit projects must be approved by FTA, either as part of a direct grant or a statewide grant.
Program’s annual funding level
The total estimated annual amount available to RPAs/MPOs is approximately $97 million. Each RPA and MPO receives individual funding targets within the total annual allocation.