By Melisha Platt, Grants and Funding Specialist, WSB
Federal bridge funding continues to evolve and with it, the complexity of pursuing major discretionary grants.
Programs like the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) require extensive narrative development, rigorous benefit-cost analysis, and participation in a highly competitive national pool. While these opportunities can be transformative, they also demand significant time and resources with no guarantee of award.
But there’s another path that often gets less attention.
The Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP) offers a more focused and strategic alternative, particularly for eligible State DOTs.
Unlike BIP, CHBP is built around a smaller, targeted applicant pool of eligible states. The application process is structured and template-driven, reducing the need for extensive narrative development and allowing agencies to focus on what matters most: project clarity, readiness, and cost efficiency.
Even more important is CHBP’s emphasis on bundled projects.
Rather than funding a single high-profile bridge, CHBP supports packages of bridge replacements and rehabilitations. This allows DOTs to:
- Address multiple deficiencies at once
- Advance backlog reduction
- Align funding with asset management strategies
It’s a model that reflects how DOTs already operate managing systems, not individual assets.
That doesn’t mean CHBP is easy. Strong applications still require clear data, demonstrated cost savings through bundling, and a high level of project readiness.
But it does mean the process is more predictable, more aligned with internal priorities, and often more attainable than larger national programs.
For eligible states, CHBP isn’t just another funding opportunity—it’s a strategic tool to deliver meaningful, system-wide improvements with greater efficiency and a clearer path to success.
How WSB Can Help
As bridge funding programs continue to evolve, understanding where opportunities align with agency goals is becoming just as important as pursuing funding itself. For agencies evaluating CHBP, BIP, or other federal funding programs, WSB’s Grants & Funding team can serve as a resource in assessing options and developing a strategic path forward.
