Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT)

The Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration is awarding grants under PROTECT (CFDA 20.284) to strengthen surface transportation resilience against natural hazards, climate change, flooding, and extreme weather, with the most recent grant award dated August 31, 2026, and a competitive opportunity due October 9, 2026.

The program distributes funding predominantly as Formula Grants (95% of 471 total awards) with a smaller share of Project Grants (5%). All awards are made by the Federal Highway Administration exclusively. Over $973 million in federal dollars have been obligated across recent awards, with combined federal and non-federal obligations reaching $1.28 billion. Award volume has accelerated sharply: the program issued 39 awards in 2022, 50 in 2023, 55 in 2024, 144 in 2025, and 159 in 2026 through August.

Funded projects address concrete resilience work: slope stabilization and remediation of landslides and rockfalls on state routes; bridge replacements and scour protection to withstand flooding and extreme weather; drainage improvements including culvert upsizing and storm sewer upgrades; retaining wall construction; and roadway reconstruction for flood resilience. The program also funds planning activities, including resilience assessment and strategy development. Recent awards exemplify this scope: I-26 in Unicoi County received $1.2 million for resilience planning including flood and hydraulic analysis; the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Tennessee received nearly $300 thousand for seismic and strong-wind monitoring; and larger projects like Harris County's drainage master plan ($9.6 million) and the Arc of Justice Bridge replacement in Iowa ($56.4 million) address major flooding vulnerabilities. Metro transit systems have also been awarded funds, including a $10.7 million catenary system upgrade in Los Angeles to maintain service during heat waves.

A competitive grant opportunity (FHWA-PROT-26-001) posted August 27, 2026, with due date October 9, 2026, solicits projects from states, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes, public transit agencies, port authorities, and Federal Land Managing Agencies. Funding available is up to $787 million from FYs 2024–2026 plus carryover. Anticipated award ranges are $500 thousand to $60 million for resilience improvement, community resilience, evacuation route, and coastal infrastructure grants; $100 thousand to $10 million for planning grants. For At-Risk Coastal Infrastructure Grants, eligible applicants also include U.S. territories and coastal-specific entities.