August 31, 2026
By Amber Adams, Grants & Funding Program Manager, WSB
Transportation networks are increasingly being challenged by flooding, extreme weather, heat events and other natural hazards. As communities plan for the future, resiliency is becoming an essential part of transportation investment decisions.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has reopened the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program, creating a significant opportunity for states, local governments, MPOs, Tribal nations, transit agencies and port authorities to pursue funding for resilience-focused transportation projects. The current Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) makes up to $787 million available through the program.
What Is the PROTECT Program?
The PROTECT Competitive Grant Program provides funding through four distinct categories:
- Planning Grants for resilience planning, vulnerability assessments, evacuation planning, resilience improvement plans, and data tools.
- Resilience Improvement Grants for projects that improve the resilience and reliability of transportation infrastructure.
- Community Resilience & Evacuation Route Grants for projects that strengthen emergency access and evacuation capabilities.
- At-Risk Coastal Infrastructure Grants for vulnerable transportation assets located in coastal communities.
Together, these funding categories support projects that help transportation systems withstand, respond to, and recover from natural hazards and extreme weather events.
Funding may support projects that:
- Improve transportation system resilience
- Address vulnerabilities related to flooding, extreme weather and climate impacts
- Strengthen evacuation routes and emergency access
- Protect critical transportation assets
- Support resilience planning and implementation efforts
The goal is to help communities proactively reduce risk and improve recovery capabilities before disruptions occur.
Why This Matters Now
The strongest funding pursuits often begin before an application is assembled.
Communities that have already identified infrastructure vulnerabilities, resilience priorities and long-term transportation goals are often better positioned to develop projects aligned with funding opportunities. Whether addressing roadway flooding, bridge resiliency, emergency access, asset management or network reliability, early coordination can help agencies understand potential pathways forward.
Start Conversations Early
With the program open again, now is the time for transportation agencies and community leaders to evaluate potential projects and determine where resilience investments may align with local priorities.
Communities interested in pursuing PROTECT funding should review the current NOFO and begin identifying opportunities that strengthen transportation systems while supporting long-term resilience goals.
Need help evaluating a potential PROTECT project?
WSB’s transportation, resilience, planning, engineering, environmental, emergency management, and grants professionals can help communities:
- Evaluate project eligibility
- Identify the most appropriate funding category
- Conduct vulnerability and resilience assessments
- Develop benefit-cost analyses
- Advance planning and project development efforts
Position projects for a competitive application
