Powerful and Competitive Funding Stream from the U.S. Department of Transportation
Los Angeles County stands to gain major momentum under the FY 2026 BUILD Grant Program designed to turbo-charge transformative surface‐transportation investments. With a $1.5 billion national pool up for grabs, urban projects like LA’s highways, bridges, public transit corridors, freight hubs, port improvements, intermodal connectivity, and rail upgrades become prime candidates.
Key Dates & Grant Facts
- Application Deadline: February 24, 2026, by 5:00 PM Eastern
- Eligible Uses: Planning or construction of surface transportation — highways, bridges, passenger & freight rail, ports, multimodal & transit infrastructure.
- Award Range: Minimum ~$5 million for urban capital projects; up to $25 million per award.
- Guidelines PDF
Making Traffic Safety Better for Everyone!
Los Angeles County has a critical opportunity to ramp up traffic safety, community protection, and active-transportation equity — thanks to the 2026 funding round from Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The program opens January 31, 2026 for applications across all 10 OTS priority areas, including Alcohol- and Drug-Impaired Driving, Distracted Driving, Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety, Occupant Protection, Emergency Medical Services, Police Traffic Services, Roadway Safety & Traffic Records, Motorcycle Safety, and Communications & Public Affairs.
Los Angeles County Has an Opportunity to Super-Charge its Road-Safety Efforts
The 2026 Road to Zero Grants are a funding stream from the National Safety Council and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) designed to cut traffic fatalities and serious injuries across the U.S. For L.A. County, this is a prime chance to fund bold, equity-driven safety initiatives: think data-driven pedestrian and cyclist safety interventions, community-based outreach to high-risk neighborhoods, post-crash care and EMS enhancements, or pilot programs addressing impaired or distracted driving hot spots. Proposals must embrace the “Safe System” framework (safer roads, people, speeds, vehicles, and post-crash care), include measurable objectives, and be implementable in a 12-month timeframe.
Key Dates & Program Details
- Application Deadline: January 16, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Eastern)
- Award Size: $50,000 – $200,000 per project
- Funding Pool (2026): ~$750,000 total
- Project Duration: 12 months maximum; scope must be achievable within that time.
- Eligible Applicants: Government entities (cities, counties, transit agencies, public safety, etc.), non-profits, tribal organizations, and private-sector firms — as long as applicant is a member of Road to Zero Coalition.
