The Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Discretionary Grant Program, authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure law and administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, aims to revitalize communities divided by past infrastructure decisions. This initiative funds projects to remove, retrofit, or mitigate barriers like highways or rail lines that hinder mobility, access, or economic development. The program prioritizes projects that enhance access to essential services such as jobs, education, and healthcare, particularly for disadvantaged communities.
The RCP program is structured into two main types of grants: Community Planning Grants and Capital Construction Grants. The former supports planning activities, including public engagement and the development of strategies to reconnect communities. The latter funds the actual construction and implementation of these plans, potentially replacing outdated or harmful infrastructure with new, community-oriented designs.
Eligible applicants for the RCP program include state and local governments, tribal governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and non-profit organizations. Eligible facilities range from highways and viaducts to other principal arterial structures, including transit and rail lines that have historically created barriers. For Capital Construction Grants, the owner of the eligible facility (or another entity in partnership with the owner) may apply.
The program is funded with a total of $607 million allocated over the fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026, divided into $150 million for planning grants and technical assistance and $457 million for capital construction. Notably, the RCP program emphasizes projects that demonstrate a commitment to equity and environmental justice, aligning with broader federal goals such as those outlined in Executive Orders 14008 and 13985.
The Department of Transportation will evaluate proposals based on several key criteria:
Projects must demonstrate a strong potential to reconnect communities and address the historical impacts of divisive transportation infrastructure. Priority will be given to projects that show significant benefits to economically disadvantaged communities, incorporate robust community engagement, and contribute to sustainable and equitable development.
The application process for these grants requires a significant level of detail, including feasibility studies and a demonstration of community support. The Department of Transportation provides technical assistance to applicants, including participation in a Community of Practice under the Reconnecting Communities Institute. This assistance aims to guide applicants through the planning and implementation stages, ensuring that projects are community-driven and aligned with the program’s goals. For more information, consult the RCP program webpage and Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Via’s mission is to connect communities through the power of transportation. We believe well-planned, accessible transit systems can advance, rather than harm, equity and racial justice. Our microtransit solutions are proven to improve mobility for communities lacking access to transportation, and our Remix planning and mapping platform is specifically designed to help planners and policymakers integrate equity analysis, collaboration, and community engagement (as called for in the RCP grant) into project workflows. Microtransit and planning software can both be eligible expenses for the RCP grant when used in developing and implementing an action plan.
If you’re interested in exploring our software as part of your RCP application, please reach out to partnerships@ridewithvia.com. We’d love to help as you consider applying and can provide insight on the application process. Applications are due September 30, 2024.
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