The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced nearly US$4.9bn in available funding for major bridge projects through the Bridge Investment Program, and up to US$500m for repairing or replacing bridges in rural areas through the Competitive Highway Bridge Program.

The announcement will help address the tens of thousands of bridges across the country – including approximately 42,000 bridges in poor condition – that are in dire need of repair.

According to the Department of Transportation, the funding opportunity removes “woke Biden-era requirements that tied critical infrastructure funding to social justice and Green New Scam climate initiatives.”

FHWA highlighted several now removed Climate Change and Environmental Justice Requirements, including how applicants must address how the project will consider climate change and environmental justice in the planning stage and in project delivery; and how applicants should address how the project promotes local inclusive economic development.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, America is building again,” said US transportation secretary Sean P Duffy. “The previous administration handcuffed critical infrastructure funding requirements to woke DEI and Green New Scam initiatives that diverted resources from the department’s core mission.”

The new FHWA grants will help address the critical need to move people and goods across the nation, connecting local communities and economies, strengthening national supply chains and improving critical corridors for freight travel.

The department also announced the availability of up to US$500m in grants to repair or replace aging bridges in 18 rural states under an updated Competitive Highway Bridge Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.