Innovation Description and Benefit:

Historically, the off-system bridge (BRO) program was managed by distributing federal funds to counties to be used at their discretion on eligible bridges. This created unspent balances across the state. In addition to existing unspent balances, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law introduced new funding for off-system bridges. To reduce these balances and to better manage the program, the distribution of the funds for the BRO program was changed to a regional (MoDOT Districts) distribution using the total deck area of poor bridges in the region.  Applications were filled out and submitted to Regional Bridge Committees, who selected bridges to award. Selections were reviewed by a Statewide Bridge Committee and awards announced. Several resources were made available externally through the call, including an Application Guide, Program Application, FAQs, etc. In addition, an internal spreadsheet was created (using pivot tables, formulas, etc), that assigned a bridge score and was included in the evaluation form that allowed Regional Bridge Committees to score applications received. Through the first call for projects, 316 applications were received for 2022-2024 funding and 145 were selected. This averages to 48 bridges per year as compared to 20-30 per year in past years. This does not include the St. Louis Region (they are managing their own call through East West Gateway).