This grant opportunity will result in the award of up to $26.95 million of FY 2023 and FY 2024 funds in grants to States and federally recognized Tribes to implement eligible projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads (collectively America’s Byways®), State scenic byways, or Indian Tribe scenic byways; and plan, design, and develop a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway program.
The purpose of the NSBP is to help recognize, preserve, and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, enacted on December 29, 2022, appropriated $20 million, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, enacted on March 8, 2024, appropriated an additional $7.5 million in Highway Infrastructure Program funds for the NSBP under 23 U.S.C. 162. Section 162 provides that grants and technical assistance be made available to State DOTs or Indian Tribes to (a) implement eligible projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads (collectively America’s Byways®), State scenic byways, or Indian Tribe scenic byways; and (b) plan, design, and develop a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway program. Eligible projects include access to recreation, byway facilities, construction, corridor management plans, highway improvements, interpretive information, marketing programs, resource protection, safety improvements, State and Indian Tribe scenic byway programs, and tourist information. Eligible projects are listed at 23 U.S.C. 162(c).
AWARD SIZE: There is no minimum or maximum award size. FHWA anticipates awarding between 30-40 grants.
COST SHARING: The Federal share of the cost of carrying out a project under this section shall be 80 percent, except that, in the case of any scenic byway project along a public road that provides access to or within Federal or Indian land, a Federal Land Management Agency (FLMA) may use funds authorized for use by the agency as the non-Federal share.” The phrase “80 percent” means up to 80 percent of total eligible project costs.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION METHOD: Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by Monday, December 16, 2024 at 11:59PM (Eastern).
NOFO INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR: FHWA plans to conduct outreach regarding the NSBP in the form of a virtual meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2024, (3:00pm-4:30pm Eastern Time). To register for the Webinar, go to https://usdot.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_6XRaR5MiR1-WERecb4a3cw
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328), enacted on December 29, 2022, appropriated $20 million, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42), enacted on March 8, 2024, appropriated an additional $7.5 million in Highway Infrastructure Program funds for the NSBP under 23 U.S.C. 162. Under 23 U.S.C. 162(b), grants and technical assistance are to be made available to States or Indian Tribes to (a) implement eligible projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads (America’s Byways®), State scenic byways, or Indian Tribe scenic byways; and (b) plan, design, and develop a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway program.
