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Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program.

Competitive grants support rural surface transportation projects that improve safety, reliability, connectivity, and economic access.

Offered byU.S. Department of Transportationverified 2026-07-10

Overview

What it does.

Chester-area road, bridge, freight, or access projects may qualify if the project location and sponsor satisfy DOT's rural and project eligibility rules. Large applications generally benefit from IDOT and regional coordination.

Best for: A rural bridge, freight route, safety improvement, or public road connection to an economic facility.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • States, regional transportation planning organizations, local governments, tribes, and eligible multijurisdictional groups

Applicants excluded by the source

  • Private businesses applying directly

Eligible uses

  • Eligible rural highway, bridge, tunnel, freight, safety, mobility-management, and access projects

Uses excluded by the source

  • Projects outside eligible rural areas or without an eligible public sponsor

Application

How to start.

  1. Verify rural and project eligibility.
  2. Coordinate with IDOT and regional planning partners.
  3. Monitor DOT for the next Rural Surface Transportation or combined MPDG notice.

Timing: The FY 2025-2026 combined MPDG application deadline was May 6, 2024; no later Rural competition was verified.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • A rural location alone does not establish project eligibility.
  • Private projects need an eligible public sponsor and public transportation purpose.

Can be coordinated with state and other federal transportation resources subject to share limits.

Evidence

Official sources.