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USDOT announces record port infrastructure funding

March 2, 2022
Port Infrastructure Development Program infused with $450 million in grant funding intended to increase supply-chain resiliency

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration recently announced nearly $450 million in newly available grant funding for port-related projects through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP)—by far the largest investment in the program ever.

These grants can help ports expand capacity and improve the movement of goods through our supply chains, the agency said.

This funding was made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is nearly double last year’s investment in PIDP for states and port authorities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will invest $17 billion in ports and waterways.  

“We’re proud to announce this funding to help ports improve their infrastructure—to get goods moving more efficiently and help keep costs under control for American families,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “President Biden is leading the largest ever federal investment in modernizing our country’s ports, which will improve our supply chains and the lives of Americans who depend on them.”

The grants are part of the administration’s Port Action Plan, which is intended to strengthen supply chains to meet demand resulting from the rapid economic recovery over the past year, and help address inflationary pressures. The grants also meet policy recommendations in USDOT’s recently releases one-year supply chain report focused on improving the movement of goods from ships to shelves.

PIDP grants are awarded on a competitive basis to support projects that will improve the movement of goods to, through and around ports. Furthermore, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law calls upon applicants to explore ways to include projects that will improve goods movement, while also strengthening resilience, reducing emissions, and advancing “environmental justice.”

“The historic investments made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help remove bottlenecks by enabling ports to expand capacity and improve intermodal connections,” said Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley. “The grant funds will also create new jobs across the U.S. maritime industry.”  

The deadline to apply for the Port Infrastructure Development Program is May 16. Visit maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants for more information.

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