Contacts
Bridge Engineer
Online
The Details of Apply for a Municipal Small Bridge program grant
What you need for Apply for a Municipal Small Bridge program grant
The Municipal Small Bridge Program currently offers one application round per fiscal year for both Phase 1 (design) and Phase 2 (construction) grants. The application is a fillable PDF that can be completed on a computer or printed and done by hand. Download the application or find it at the bottom of this page.
The application is the same for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 grant requests. A Phase 1 grant is designated for the costs of bridge design and permitting and provides up to $100,000. Meanwhile, a Phase 2 grant provides funding for the costs of construction up to $500,000. A separate and new application must be submitted for each grant phase of a single small bridge. A municipality cannot apply for both a Phase 1 and Phase 2 grant for the same small bridge at the same time. A completed design that has undergone a successful Chapter 85 review is required in order to apply for Phase 2 funding. Learn more about project eligibility.
Grant Maximums for Apply for a Municipal Small Bridge program grant
| Grant Phase | Grant Phase Purpose | Funding Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Design and Permitting | $100,000
|
| Phase 2 | Construction | $500,000 |
The application document collects information about the bridge, its impact on the community, and the community's financial and logistical needs. It should be completed in full to the best of the municipality's ability. Also required with application submission are preliminary cost estimates (including a recommended 15% contingency), photographs, and repair history.
Only municipal staff/officials may submit applications. A single application may propose improvements at just one bridge location. There is no limit to the number of applications a municipality may submit for either grant phase in a single round. However, excluding emergency cases, a municipality may only receive a maximum of one Phase 1 and one Phase 2 grant per fiscal year.
A municipality may submit multiple applications for separate small bridges for either grant phase (design or construction) during a single fiscal year but may not request both Phase 1 and Phase 2 funds for the same bridge at the same time. In order to apply for a Phase 2 construction grant, a municipality must demonstrate a final design completed by a MassDOT prequalified engineering firm (through a Phase 1 grant or other funding source) and undergo a successful Chapter 85 review.
Applications are submitted to SmallBridgeProgram@dot.state.ma.us and the appropriate MassDOT District Bridge Engineers. The deadline date to submit Fiscal Year 2024 applications is coming soon. Download the application.
How to apply Apply for a Municipal Small Bridge program grant
Submit application and supporting documents to SmallBridgeProgram@dot.state.ma.us
Fiscal Year 2024 Program Deadlines for Apply for a Municipal Small Bridge program grant
| Application Round Opens | Application Round Closes | Application Review & Award Notification |
|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2023 | June 30, 2023 | 2 - 3 months |