Applications for county road and bridge projects are hitting the inbox of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Rural and Municipal Aid (DRMA).
“We’ve received numerous applications for the Highway Contingency Fund, the County-City Bridge Improvement Program and the County Priority Projects Program since the start of the new fiscal year,” said DRMA Commissioner Bobbi Jo Lewis.
The Transportation Cabinet has developed a quick reference guide about the three programs, which are also outlined below. Click here to download the guide.
Applications for the Highway Contingency Fund and County-City Bridge Improvement Program are accepted throughout the fiscal year.
The deadline for the County Priority Projects Program is Oct. 15. DRMA will evaluate applications and send them to the General Assembly, which will make final award determinations during the 2025 legislative session.
In addition to these new programs, counties can still apply for funding through the DRMA Rural Secondary Program, which includes the 80/20 Bridge Program and Flex Funds.
Highway Contingency Fund
The legislature appropriated $5 million in FY25 for roads with hazardous and/or emergency conditions such as a road slide or sinkhole.
“If it’s a danger to the traveling public, chances are [the road] is going to qualify,” Lewis said.
Counties may apply for the contingency fund using form TC 20-42. DRMA will accept applications throughout the fiscal year.
County-City Bridge Improvement Program
FY25 funding for a new County-City Bridge Improvement Program (CCBIP) is $25 million to cover the repair and replacement of county- or city-owned bridges.
Funding applications must use form TC 20-44 along with relevant bridge inspection reports.
To qualify for the CCBIP, county judge/executives must complete free online training provided by the Kentucky Transportation Center. The next Local Bridges 101 webinar is scheduled for Aug. 28. Click here to register. (Note: After clicking “Add to cart” on the registration page, participants must complete the process by clicking “Checkout” in the shopping cart tab.)
County Priority Projects Program
During the 2024 legislative session, the County Priority Projects Program (CPPP) was established, giving lawmakers more oversight over which road projects are funded. The Department of Rural and Municipal Aid will still process funding applications and rate road conditions, but legislators will now vote on which specific projects are approved for the following fiscal year.
$20 million was appropriated each year of the biennial budget. The first round of projects for FY25 were approved through House Joint Resolution 92.
The Department of Rural and Municipal Aid will accept applications for the CPPP July 1 – Oct. 15, 2024 using form TC 20-41.
“By Nov. 1, we will send the compiled list to the legislature and then they will decide what roads they want to fund during the next session,” Lewis said.
Projects selected in the 2025 legislative session will have funding available in FY26.
