Transportation

Securing transportation grants and other funding is rarely a simple process. Competitive grants, formula programs, low-interest loans and public-private partnerships each follow distinct rules and timelines and notices of funding opportunities often change with legislative updates or agency reauthorizations.  For organizations without dedicated grant teams or deep federal experience, these shifting requirements can strain existing staff and jeopardize project timelines. What Makes the Process So Challenging? There are several reasons why the process is not clear-cut. A simplified explanation is that there are multiple programs, and each has its own guidelines and requirements. These include: Competitive state and federal grant funding programs administered by different state agencies and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) operating administrations Formula funding and grants that are apportioned by congressional statute and distributed by the USDOT Loan financing through agencies, for example, the Build America Bureau Public-Private Partnerships (P3) structures that blend public dollars with private investment All of these funding pathways have distinct specifications, and to be successful, you must understand each pathway's unique preliminary steps and comb through Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) language to uncover eligibility nuances. For example: Is your project eligible under a rural definition that varies by agency and program? Does the program require a benefit-cost analysis? Must you prove a minimum Buy America content percentage of materials included in your project?  Skipping any of these details can disqualify an otherwise strong project. The Essentials Every Applicant Needs A successful application hinges on three integrated components: Strategic Alignment To align strategy with opportunity, you must map your project's purpose and milestones to funding opportunities, forecast when application periods may open and ensure projects align with funding objectives. Compelling Technical Narrative  This requires more than descriptive text; reviewers may expect benefit-cost analyses, geospatial visualizations, evidence of community partnership and clear alignment with the program’s evaluation criteria to effectively convey the narrative of your project. Rigorous Compliance Management  Consider the challenges that come after the grant award: federal agreements often stipulate compliance requirements, regular performance reports, detailed invoicing procedures, records retention requirements and other strict audit protocols. Failure to comply with any of those can trigger funding clawbacks or limit your organization's ability to compete in future cycles. Some of these processes and requirements change over time, sometimes year after year. Keeping up to date with the application and post-award requirements is a task that necessitates well-informed teams who can maintain and manage this expanding and circuitous well of information. Bridging Capacity Gaps When internal staff lack bandwidth or specialized grant expertise, you have several paths forward. You might hire temporary writers or invest in training workshops focused on topics such as economic analysis or federal compliance. Some agencies form regional consortia to pool resources and share best practices on NOFO interpretation. Engaging a strategic partner can be the most efficient route for organizations seeking an end-to-end solution. Ulteig's Transportation Grants and Funding Services embeds former federal program managers and technical analysts directly into your team to handle every step: Advisory and Planning: Developing comprehensive funding strategies through a deep understanding of the community’s objectives and the project’s purpose and matching those with continuous research to find the funding opportunities to best address the needs. Grant Writing: Assembling technical data, developing benefit-cost models, adding supporting exhibits and turning that all into a compelling story.  Grant Management: Executing agreements, fulfilling compliance requirements, overseeing invoice workflows and collecting performance data to satisfy reporting requirements. Ulteig's Grants and Funding Program Manager, Sandy Zimmer, together with Ulteig’s team of transportation managers and engineers, will help you successfully navigate the funding options and deliver your transportation projects on time and on budget. Confidence in Every Step By demystifying each stage of the process and plugging resource gaps with experienced partners, your organization can focus more on engineering delivery instead of chasing deadlines and devoting time to ensuring compliance.  Whether you choose to upskill staff, collaborate with peer agencies or partner with Ulteig, aligning your capacity with the demands of federal and state programs is the key to securing sufficiently funded transportation projects. Learn more about Ulteig's Grant and Funding services and contact us about your next transportation funding opportunity. CTA: Learn more

Infrastructure projects have the power to unite communities and reflect local values; for bridges, in particular, this is quite literal. Ignoring early consultation and feedback from the people they impact can lead to disengagement, costly redesigns, months of delay and legal challenges, underscoring the critical role of proactive stakeholder engagement in reducing risk and delivering successful projects. Community Partnership from Day One Skipping early stakeholder engagement should not be viewed as a cost-saving shortcut, as more often than not, it introduces risk to the project. In fact, avoiding early community involvement is one of the leading causes of delays in infrastructure projects and can lead to: Misinterpreted Community Needs: Without ongoing dialogue, cultural and historical considerations are often misunderstood Project Stoppages and Redesigns: Unaddressed issues can lead to legal or regulatory challenges that halt progress Erosion of Public Trust: Communities that feel sidelined lose confidence in project leadership and public agencies A proactive strategy in working with communities that infrastructure projects will impact is necessary for successful development. It is not only about meeting regulatory mandates but also about building an environment where community values and technical excellence converge. A Framework for Successful Stakeholder Engagement The benefits of early and meaningful engagement extend well beyond avoiding delays. A structured framework for consultation provides a clear roadmap to success. This framework transforms stakeholder engagement from an administrative requirement into a strategic advantage. Early Identification of Stakeholders: Map out all impacted groups, including local communities, Native American Nations and cultural organizations Establishing Open Communication Channels: Set up regular meetings and feedback loops to ensure that voices are heard from project inception through completion Culturally Sensitive Consultation: Tailor engagement strategies to address specific cultural or historical concerns while remaining compliant with federal consultation responsibilities Integrated Decision Making: Use stakeholder feedback to shape technical and design decisions so that the final product resonates with community values Community Consultations: Hold in-person community meetings to provide opportunities for direct input and garner additional information or concerns for the project. In practice, government agencies and consultants who adopt such strategies have experienced smoother project execution and improved public perception. Partnering With Experienced Consultants A consultant who prioritizes community engagement brings far more than technical know-how. At Ulteig we have a longstanding history of integrating community engagement with technical project management. Our team brings decades of expertise working with a diverse array of stakeholders, including Native American Nations, advocacy groups, community organizations, businesses and other local groups. Such expertise translates into tangible benefits for our clients and the communities we serve: Improved Efficiency: Early engagement leads to the prompt identification and resolution of potential issues Risk Mitigation: Understanding local context minimizes unforeseen challenges that can derail project timelines Enhanced Project Design: Continuous dialogue uncovers cultural insights that enrich design solutions. Early Issue Identification: Addressing stakeholder concerns at the outset prevents escalation later in the project. Stronger Public Relationships: Transparent communication builds trust between government agencies, contractors and community members. Enhanced Public Perception: Transparent and respectful consultation fosters long-term trust and cooperation with community members Infrastructure projects that invest in proactive stakeholder engagement are positioned to succeed on multiple fronts. The cost of insufficient communication is high, ranging from project delays and legal challenges to eroded public trust. Adopting a structured engagement framework not only mitigates risks but also adds strategic value by enriching project design with local insights. Partnering with experts like Ulteig means embracing a future where technical excellence is harmonized with stakeholder inclusivity. Our experience demonstrates that when community voices are heard and respected early on, the benefits are clear: projects run smoother, budgets remain intact and communities stand behind the final design.

The FM 159 project in Brazos County, Texas, represents a critical effort to address the ongoing threat posed by the encroachment of the Brazos River on a key transportation route. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) engaged Ulteig to develop a detailed design schematic, conducting environmental assessments and exploring feasible alternatives for the realignment of FM 159. In partnership, TxDOT and Ulteig navigated the complexities of the project, ensuring a high-quality transportation infrastructure solution in alignment with TxDOT's design criteria and overall strategic mission. The Challenge: Addressing an Accelerating Threat The FM 159 project is a response to the rapid encroachment of the Brazos River toward FM 159. Over the past several years, the river has been advancing at an alarming rate of approximately 15 feet per year, threatening to sever the roadway entirely within the next 5 to 10 years. This erosion, driven by natural river dynamics and exacerbated by frequent flooding events, has placed significant pressure on the infrastructure in the area. TxDOT had previously attempted to mitigate a similar threat upstream by armoring the riverbank to prevent further erosion. However, a significant flood event undermined those efforts, washing away the protective measures and highlighting the need for a more robust solution at the location along FM 159. The challenge, therefore, was to develop a sustainable and cost-effective approach to preserving this vital transportation link. Ulteig's Work with TxDOT on FM 159 Ulteig was brought on board as the prime consultant for the FM 159 project, marking a significant milestone as our first major project in Texas. Ulteig's team coordinated closely with TxDOT to push forward the design and environmental assessments despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our work on this phase of the project included: Design Schematic Development: Ulteig developed a new alignment for FM 159, shifting the roadway approximately 1/4 mile north, parallel to the existing roadway and the BNSF railroad alignment. This realignment included the design of a two-lane roadway with 11-foot driving lanes and 6-foot shoulders, integrated within a proposed 100-foot right-of-way (ROW). Environmental Documentation: Ulteig's environmental team conducted thorough analyses to identify potential impacts and constraints. This work was crucial in informing the design process and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Alternatives Evaluation: An Alternatives Evaluation Matrix was developed, allowing Ulteig and TxDOT to collaboratively assess different design options. This tool was essential for making informed decisions that balanced environmental concerns, safety and cost-effectiveness. Innovative Use of Technology: Ulteig successfully merged two 3D modeling programs— Bentley’s OpenRoads Designer and OpenBridge Modeler —which allowed for seamless integration of independently developed designs. This technological innovation improved the accuracy and efficiency of the design process. Stakeholder Collaboration: Ulteig maintained open communication with TxDOT throughout the project, developing a comprehensive, interactive dashboard to track the project's budget, schedule and DBE goals. Overcoming Challenges and Constraints In addition to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this phase of the FM 159 project faced unique obstacles. The proximity of the Brazos River and the dynamic nature of its erosion patterns required careful consideration of environmental impacts and the selection of a design that could withstand future flood events. An initial consideration of bridging the encroaching river was deemed too expensive given the relatively low traffic volume on FM 159, which primarily serves agricultural and freight traffic. This necessitated a more cost-effective solution, leading to the decision to realign the roadway. Ulteig partnered closely with TxDOT to navigate these obstacles, completing our work in April of 2024. The Importance of Resilient Transportation Solutions Flooding poses one of the most significant challenges to transportation infrastructure, with increasingly frequent and severe events putting pressure on roads, bridges and other critical assets. Projects like FM 159 exemplify the proactive steps that are essential to safeguarding transportation networks from the impacts of flooding. By addressing the threat of river encroachment and other flood-related risks, Ulteig helps Departments of Transportation preserve vital transportation links. Leverage Forward-Thinking Transportation Engineering Solutions FM 159 serves as a reminder of the importance of strategic planning, environmental awareness and collaborative design to ensure the longevity and safety of our transportation networks. Ulteig is committed to developing transportation solutions that can withstand the test of time and nature. We invite you to connect with us to explore how we can work together on your next project, ensuring that our infrastructure remains resilient and reliable for the future.

In the United States, a complex network of more than 617,000 bridges crisscrosses the country, serving as vital arteries that connect communities, facilitate commerce and support economies. Today, 42 percent of bridges nationwide are more than 50 years old, and approximately 7.5 percent of them are in poor condition, structurally deficient, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.  While the choice of construction materials unquestionably plays a crucial role in the durability of a bridge, its lifespan is also heavily dependent on good bridge maintenance. Regular maintenance plays a pivotal role in extending the longevity of bridges everywhere, irrespective of their location or construction materials.  Concrete, Steel and Timber: The Building Blocks  The three primary construction materials for bridges today are concrete, steel and timber. While timber bridges are more common in rural areas, concrete and steel bridges are preferred in urban settings. Over time, many old timber bridges have been replaced with concrete or steel due to their durability.  Concrete, being the most prevalent material for bridges in the United States, offers advantages like low cost, widespread availability and ease of construction. However, concrete faces challenges such as cracking, spalling, scaling and corrosion, primarily caused by chlorides in de-icing salts and freeze-thaw cycles. All of these factors contribute to deterioration of a bridge and its lifespan making proper maintenance essential.  Steel bridges, on the other hand, require careful consideration of corrosion, fatigue and proper steel connection detailing. Regular painting may be necessary to extend their longevity. Timber, while lightweight and suitable for specific locations, can’t match the durability of concrete or steel unless adequately pressure-treated with preservatives.  Other factors of bridge longevity include location, environment, frequency of routine maintenance and number and weight of vehicles crossing a bridge daily.  The Importance of Bridge Maintenance in Preserving Bridge Longevity  Bridges, like any infrastructure, undergo wear and tear over time. Regular, good maintenance practices are critical for prolonging their lifespan and ensuring their continued safety and functionality. Maintenance practices as simple as routine sweeping and washing of structures are very important, since debris traps moisture and chlorides from de-icing salts which can degrade concrete and steel structures faster. The importance of proactive maintenance, therefore, cannot be overstated.  Maintenance and repair of bridge joints are particularly vital to prevent water intrusion, a common cause of bridge damage. Replacing seals is more cost-effective in the long run than repairing steel structures, but it may require careful planning due to potential road closures during construction. One of the most important maintenance efforts for substructure deterioration also starts with ensuring the seals at joints are in-tack and moisture and chloride are not traveling to deteriorate the structure bearing and foundation elements.  Maintenance isn't just about resolving existing problems — it’s also about predicting and preventing future ones. Regular inspections and minor repairs can prevent small issues from escalating into significant problems that could compromise the bridge's integrity and incur substantial repair costs.  Bridge Longevity and Infrastructure Funding  What is the average lifespan of a bridge? The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) LRFD Bridge Design Specifications outline a 75-year bridge design service life as the standard expectation.  However, just like people, bridges are living longer lives, and some organizations are striving for even greater longevity. The Colorado Bridge Enterprise released a document in 2020 titled “Strategies for Enhancing Bridge Service Life,” with the ultimate goal of achieving a century-old service life for bridges. These strategies aim to limit bridge component deterioration and enhance the potential of structures to perform beyond the standard 75 years. Jointless bridges, for one, are recommended as one method to increase bridge longevity, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.  Now, with the influx of infrastructure funding currently available, it’s an opportune time to invest in rehabilitating bridges and, in tandem, implementing proactive maintenance practices. These investments can significantly extend the lifespan of these critical structures, ensuring bridges stay functional and safe for years to come.  A Proactive Bridge Maintenance Approach  With decades of experience and a portfolio of thousands of bridge projects, Ulteig is uniquely positioned to provide well-informed recommendations on maintenance practices optimized for longevity. This expertise is essential to strengthening the Transportation Lifeline Sector®.  Ulteig’s commitment to sustainable solutions is evident in recent projects like the NDDOT Williston Truck Relieve Route. Our project team conducted a comprehensive evaluation of concrete and steel options, preparing detailed reports examining the advantages and disadvantages of each material, considering the specific project conditions and requirements.  In the Heart River Bridge Rehabilitation project, Ulteig’s team innovatively repaired a deteriorating bridge pier using FRP wraps, bypassing the need for costly coffer dams. This solution saved both time and money while delivering a long-lasting repair.   New technologies like FRPs are always emerging, not only preserving a structure’s integrity, but also accelerating construction timelines, reducing environmental impact and lowering costs, in addition to ease of maintenance.  Looking Ahead: The Future of Bridge Maintenance  The future of bridge maintenance involves significant advancements in monitoring technologies and data analysis tools. Real-time data on the health of bridges can inform proactive maintenance strategies, helping to extend their lifespan.  Bridges are not just structures; they are a testament to human ingenuity and a crucial part of our nation's infrastructure. Their upkeep requires a careful balance between the need for maintenance and the potential disruption it may cause. At Ulteig, we’re committed to finding and implementing the right blend of solutions — from materials to maintenance — to ensure the durability and safety of all bridges across the country.  For more information about Ulteig’s transportation structures group or our work in bridge maintenance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help ensure the longevity and safety of our nation's bridges through effective and efficient maintenance practices.