Federal bridge funds may be used to replace, rehabilitate, or preserve a bridge. Federal bridge funds must be applied for through the Area Transportation Partnership (ATP) in the respective Mn/DOT district, and must be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP). In addition to whatever selection criteria are used by the ATP, each project must also meet the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rules for eligibility.

To be eligible for replacement under the Federal Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (HBRRP), the inplace structure must:

1. Have a clear span over 20 feet
2. Be classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete by federal rating criteria (see Figure 4-1)
3. Have a sufficiency rating of less than 50

To be eligible for rehabilitation under the HBRRP, the in-place structure must:

1. Have a clear span over 20 feet
2. Be classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete by federal rating criteria (see figure 4-1)
3. Have a sufficiency rating of less than 80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HBRRP funds can be used for bridge preservation type activities regardless of their sufficiency rating or deficiency status.

Types of bridge preservation work may include:

1. Bridge painting
2. Expansion Joint repair/replacement
3. Bridge deck overlays
4. Railing/barrier repair/replacement
5. Partial deck replacement (to current width)
6. Minor superstructure or substructure repair

Large bridges and bridges on regionally important routes often rank highly for federal funds. Local agencies should apply for federal funds first on these types of bridges. This will leave the state funds available for those projects that are less likely be selected by the ATPs for funding.

Generally, projects selected are funded with 80% federal funds, although the ATP may designate a smaller percentage less than 80% or cap the federal participation. If the project involves a township bridge, the matching monies are taken from the Town Bridge account first, if available, and secondly from the State Transportation Fund. Matching monies for all other roadways may be from the State Transportation Fund if available or CSAH, MSAS or local funds as appropriate.

For additional guidelines on bridge preservation, improvement, and rehabilitation or replacement, please refer to the Bridge Preservation, Improvement, and Replacement Guidelines (PDF).

The Local Bridge Replacement Program is funded from the Minnesota State Transportation Fund. General obligation bonds typically fund the State Transportation Fund and the funds are also commonly referred to as bridge bond funds or Fund 29 (for the number of the account). Minnesota Statutes §174.50, Minnesota Rules Chapter 8810, along with the specific session law associated with each appropriation, govern what is an eligible use for State Transportation Funds. However, over the years, eligibility criteria have changed little.

State Transportation Funds may be used to replace, rehabilitate, or remove a bridge. Bridges can be located on a CSAH, MSAS, county road, city street, or township road, but must be owned by the county, city or township. Bridges that carry private rail lines over highways can be eligible if the public agency is the owner of the bridge.

Eligibility criteria for replacement or rehabilitation are the same. For the typical bridge project, ALL of the following must be satisfied:

1. The inplace structure is 10 feet or more in length, and
2. The inplace structure has a sufficiency rating of 80 or less, and
3. The inplace structure is classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete by federal rating criteria (see Figure 4-1).

If a project does not meet these three conditions, it still may be eligible if any one of the following is satisfied:

1. The inplace structure is less than 10 feet long but a hydrological survey indicates that the replacement structure must be 10 feet or longer in length.
2. A roadway is being constructed that will eliminate a bridge meeting the above three criteria. This includes installation of a less than 10 foot culvert or low water crossing in place of an existing eligible structure. Participation will be limited to the cost estimate for a replacement structure.
3. An inplace structure meeting the above three criteria is being removed or abandoned. Participation will be limited to the cost estimate for a replacement structure.

Costs of preliminary engineering studies, up to $300,000, for an eligible bridge replacement project crossing a river that requires extensive environmental evaluations.

Minnesota State Transportation Funds may be used at various percentages to fund local bridges.

CSAH/MSAS bridges are normally funded at 50% of the cost of eligible items. If a county/city has used up their State Aid Construction funds for that year or is advancing construction funds, they may be approved to use bond funds up to 100% of the eligible items.

When federal funds are used for eligible bridge costs, the federal funds will be applied to the State Aid or local share first.

County and city bridges on county roads and city streets may be approved for up to 100% of the eligible items.

Township bridges can receive State Transportation Funds for up to 100% of the eligible items if the county’s Town Bridge allotment and the Unallocated Town Bridge funds are depleted. The State Transportation Fund may not pay for approach grading or engineering costs on township bridges.

The Town Bridge Program is funded from the five percent deducted from the Highway Users Tax Distribution Fund, prior to the distribution to the Trunk Highway and State Aid funds. Minnesota Statutes §161.082, and Minnesota Rules Chapter 8820, govern the Town Bridge Program.

Seventy percent of the funds in the Town Bridge Account are annually apportioned to each county, in proportion to the number of deficient township bridges in their county. The remaining 30 percent is retained in the Unallocated Town Bridge account and used to fund township bridge projects when a county has depleted its own apportionment.

Town Bridge Program funds may be used to replace, rehabilitate, or remove a bridge. Eligibility criteria for replacement or rehabilitation are the same. For the typical bridge project, ALL of the following must be satisfied:

1. The inplace structure is 10 feet or more in length, and
2. The inplace structure has a sufficiency rating of 80 or less, and
3. The inplace structure is classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete by federal rating criteria (see Figure 4-1).

If a project does not meet these three conditions, it still may be eligible if any one of the following is satisfied:

1. The inplace structure is less than 10 feet long but a hydrological survey indicates that the replacement structure must be 10 feet or longer in length.
2. A roadway is being constructed that will eliminate a bridge meeting the above three criteria. This includes installation of a less than 10 foot culvert or low water crossing in place of an existing eligible structure. Participation will be limited to the cost estimate for a replacement structure.
3. An inplace structure meeting the above three criteria is removed or abandoned. Participation will be limited to the cost estimate for the replacement structure.
4. A deficient bridge is being replaced by a culvert and is a part of a comprehensive water plan approved by the Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Department of Natural Resources. Participation will be limited to the cost of the replacement structure.
5. The inplace structure does not meet both criterion 2 and 3 of the above three criteria, but there are special circumstances, and the project has been approved by the District State Aid Engineer and the State Aid Programs Engineer. One example of such a project is a bridge narrower than 16 feet with an ADT of less than 100, which will rate as adequate by Federal NBI standards.

Town Bridge Program funds may be used for up to 100% of the cost of eligible bridge construction items. In addition to the usual eligible items, Town Bridge Program funds may also be used to fund approach work and engineering costs.

Approach work is considered to be all the necessary grading work associated with the bridge construction, and Town Bridge Program funds can be used for costs in excess of $10,000, if the work is included in the approved plan and if requested by the county.

Engineering costs in excess of $10,000 may be reimbursed if requested by the county. Townships with a net tax capacity of less than $300,000 are eligible for 100% of the engineering costs.

Funding for all bridge projects must be applied for on a project by project basis.
Federal HBRRP funds must be applied for through the project solicitation process of each respective ATP. Questions should be directed to your DSAE.

State Transportation Fund and Town Bridge Program projects must follow this procedure to apply for funds and to be selected for a grant.

1. The Minnesota Department of Transportation State Aid Division establishes criteria for a bridge to be considered eligible for a grant (see eligibility criteria in Sections (A, B, C). Those criteria establish a pool of candidate bridge replacement projects.
2. Local agencies plan for and select candidate projects from their list of eligible bridge projects. The county board or city council passes a resolution as placing those bridges on their agency bridge replacement priority list, and indicating a commitment to replacing those structures as soon as grant funds are available. Most agencies plan for 2-5 years ahead.
3. The local agency engineer submits an application form to the Department through the DSAE, for each candidate bridge project. The application contains all the information required by statute to be used to approve a project to receive a grant.
4. The District State Aid Engineer reviews the application and may visit the bridge site to determine if the proposed replacement is the best use of taxpayer dollars. The DSAE may approve or deny the application, or may recommend that other options be considered such as building a smaller structure, building a road in lieu of replacing the bridge, or removing the bridge and closing the crossing.
5. Approved applications are sent to SALT.

Once a project has passed through steps 1-5 it is considered eligible for funding and is placed on the Master Bridge Priority List, however, funding is not yet reserved.

The Master Bridge Priority list is the combination of all the individual agency bridge priority lists, and is primarily used to generate the capital budget request to the legislature. The list identifies each bridge project, the planned construction year, and a tentative cost split. For the purposes of that list, all township bridges are shown to use township bridge funds, regardless of what a county’s balance might be. All county road or city street bridges are shown to use 100% bond funds. All CSAH and MSAS bridges are shown to use 50% bonds, even though they may later be funded at a higher amount.

Although the cost figures on the Master Bridge Priority List may not match the 5-year plan of an individual agency, after accounting for factors such as the use of the Unallocated Town Bridge Account, project delays, and program revisions, this method produces an accurate prediction of the amount of State Transportation Funds needed for the capital improvements budgeting process.

Plans for bridge structures, quadruple box culverts, and non-standard designs must be submitted to the State Aid Bridge Engineer early in the design phase for preliminary plan approval. Final construction plans should be submitted to the DSAE for approval.

Plan requirements for the bridge replacement program are the same as for any regular State Aid plan (see Chapter 5). If approval by the State Aid Bridge Engineer is required, the DSAE will forward the plan to the Bridge Office. Either SALT or the Metro District must approve federal aid plans.

After the plans have been approved, the DSAE or the SALT plan reviewer will request funding approval from the State Aid Program Engineer.

The District ATP will have notified local agencies if their project has been selected to receive Federal HBRRP funds. Selected projects will be listed in the STIP, usually at least three years prior to the planned construction year. Federal funds are subject to availability and the STIP is subject to change, but federal funds can be considered designated for that project once it appears in the approved STIP. Federal funds, however, must still be authorized before a letting date can be established.

The State Aid Program Engineer will notify the local agency directly or through the DSAE that either the grant has been approved, that the grant has not been approved and additional information is needed, or that there are insufficient funds available and the project has been placed on a waiting list. The local agency will also be provided with a tentative cost split based upon the engineer’s estimate.

Either the DSAE or the State Aid Program Engineer will provide written notification of the funding approval. Once this notification is received, the project may proceed to letting. Funds are not reserved for any bridge projects until written notification is received.

Cost splits are calculated based upon the items that are eligible for the various funds and the engineer’s estimate or bid abstract. In general, Federal HBRRP, State Transportation Fund, and Town Bridge funds may be used for costs of construction of the bridge from abutment to abutment. Costs of grading and surfacing the approach roadway are not eligible, but are considered approach grading costs for purposes of the Town Bridge Program. Costs of purchasing right of way are normally not eligible. Figure 4-2 contains a list of eligible costs for each of the three bridge programs.

For State Transportation Fund or Town Bridge projects, when a road-in-lieu-of-bridge project, a water retention project, or a bridge removal/abandonment project is being proposed, all costs of construction up to the cost of a replacement structure can be eligible, including grading, surfacing, right of way, and engineering costs.

If a bridge is eligible for either Town Bridge or State Transportation funds, the following process is followed to determine which funding source will be used:

1. If a county’s Town Bridge account has sufficient funds, those funds are used first. The account will be depleted completely before going to any other source.
2. When the county’s Town Bridge account is depleted, the project may be funded from the Unallocated Town Bridge account. Funds are encumbered from the account on a first come first served basis until it reaches a balance of about $500,000. After that, the funds are reserved for paying approach grading and engineering costs and any other costs not payable with bond funds.
3. After the unallocated account is drawn down, the State Transportation Fund is used for the construction costs. Unallocated funds are still used for the approach grading, engineering, and overrun costs.

For bridges on the State Aid system, 50% of the eligible costs can be paid from the State Transportation Fund. Higher participation, up to 100%, may be approved if there is a financial need. Financial need is considered to exist in the following situations:

1. The county or city’s State Aid account balance is negative due to advancing of State Aid fund, or
2. The county or city’s State Aid account balance has historically been drawn down to zero in recent past years, and the agency can document that the balance will be drawn down to zero again in the current year.

For bridges on private driveways approaching public roads, the following participation rules will apply:

1. The existing approach road bridge must meet the applicable eligibility criteria (SR < 80, etc.),
2. The existing approach road bridge must be within or partially within public road right of way, and
3. The new bridge must remain in public ownership after completion of the project.

The jurisdiction of the public road determines which funds the approach road bridge is eligible for. If a bridge is on a State Aid route or a township road, State Aid or town bridge funds must be used first before bond funds will be considered.

For bridges using State Aid funds, 100% of the construction and engineering costs are eligible for payment. For bridges using Town Bridge funds, 100% of the structure costs, grading costs over $10,000, and engineering costs as allowed are eligible. For bridges using bond funds, 50% of the structure costs will be eligible.

Figure 4-2 BRIDGE FUNDING ELIGIBILITY
ITEM	ELIGIBILITY			CONDITIONS
	BR & BROS	Town Bridge	State Bridge Funds
GENERAL
Mobilization	X	X	X	100% eligible unless additional roadwork is included. Pro-rated by participating amount for HBRRP.
Structure Excavation	X	X	X
Engineering & Surveying		X		See Tech Memos 93-SA-05 for eligibility of historic/archaeological review services with federal planning funds.
Bridge Removal or Salvage		X*		* See note (1) Approach Grading Cost.
Traffic control	X	X	X	100% eligible unless additional roadwork is included. Pro-rated by participating amount for HBRRP.
Right of Way		X*	X*	*May be eligible on road-in-lieu of bridge projects.
BRIDGE STRUCTURES
Granular Backfill	X	X	X
Granular Bedding	X	X	X
Bridge Foundation & Structure	X	X	X	Includes piling, beams, joints, rebar, overlays, bearings…
Slope Prep. & Paving	X	X	X
Sidewalk on Bridge	X	X	X	If walks exist or if in an urban setting. Up to 6’ both sides, 8’ if only one side.
Drainage System	X	X	X	On the bridge and/or behind abutments.
Lighting Systems (including conduit)	X	X	X	If lighting is justified. Ornamental units prorated to standards.
Guard Rail	X	X	X
Ornamental Metal Rail	X	X	X	Prorated to cost of standard railing or chain link fence.
Approach Panels		X*	X*	* Eligible if included in the same plan as the bridge construction.
Architectural Treatments		X*	X*	*Eligible if required by SHPO.
CULVERTS
Culvert Pipe & Aprons	X	X	X
Bedding & Backfill*	X	X	X	*Eligible to minimum depth of cover required (usually 2’).
OTHER
Channel Excavation		X	X	To the touchdown point.
Riprap	X	X	X	Granular or geo filter incidental.
Approach Grading		X*		* See note (1) Approach Grading Cost.
Road-in-lieu-of-bridge		X	X	All costs up to the cost of a replacement bridge are eligible.
Water Retention Projects		X*		* See note (1) Approach Grading Cost. Needs to replace a deficient bridge.
Applies to Town Bridge Funds only. Approach grading costs are those costs for grading & surfacing the roadway approaches to the bridge, from the bridge to the point where an alignment that meets design standards can match into the existing alignment. Bridge removal is an approach grading cost. Costs in excess of $10,000 are eligible.

When a local agency has been notified that the funding for a project has been approved, the funds are encumbered and held in reserve until payments are made. If after a project has been approved for funding, the project is delayed or cancelled, the local agency should immediately notify SALT, so that the funds can be released to other projects.

Funds are reserved based upon a tentative funding split of the engineer’s estimate. After letting, this amount will be revised based upon actual bid prices. The new amount may be higher or lower than the tentative amount.

For requesting payments on federal aid projects, follow the appropriate procedures for regular Federal aid lettings. Payment of matching bond funds can be requested on the DCP forms. Town Bridge funds must be requested separately using the State Aid Payment Request form. Federal aid funds may or may not be capped. Any increase from the STIP amount must be approved in the District.

To request payments on Town Bridge Fund projects, the local agency notifies SALT of the letting date and requests payment following the procedures for a regular State Aid funded project using the State Aid Payment Request form. Town Bridge fund grants are not fixed or capped, and the amount may increase or decrease as needed to cover actual costs of the project, subject to availability of funds.

For State Transportation Fund projects, prior to the release of funds, the following steps must take place:

1. The local agency must notify the SALT Payments Technician of the letting by submitting a copy of the bid abstract.
2. The amount of the grant must be recalculated using actual bid prices. The local agency may make this calculation or request assistance from the SALT Payments Technician.
3. The revised grant amount will then be fixed for that project.
4. The county board or city council must pass a resolution accepting the terms of the grant, agreeing to pay any costs in excess of the grant amount and to return any unused portion. A copy of the resolution must be submitted to SALT.
5. Payments cannot be made until work is completed, but partial payment requests can be made as frequently as they are needed. Payment requests for State Transportation Fund projects without federal aid must be made using the State Aid Payment Request form.

In all other respects, bridge projects with these bridge funds are handled according to the appropriate federal aid or State Aid procedures found elsewhere in this manual.

State Aid Rule 8820.1500, Subpart 9a, allows the Commissioner to approve requests for advance funding for town bridge projects when the county requires funds in excess of their individual Town Bridge Account balance.

If at the time of the approval of a township bridge plan, there are insufficient funds available to advance the project to letting, the county may choose to advance the project using local funds which will later be repaid from future allocations to the county’s Town Bridge Account. At the discretion of the State Aid Program Engineer, advances may also be repaid from future allocations to the Unallocated Town Bridge Account.

The following procedure is used to advance local funds:

1. The county must notify the Program Delivery Engineer by written request (e-mail or letter) that the county intends to advance the project using local funds. A county board resolution is not necessary.
2. The Program Delivery Engineer will encumber any funds that are available, notify the county engineer of that amount, and record that the project was advance funded.
3. The county must submit a payment request each year for the amount of their subsequent allocations that they wish to be released towards the advance.
4. At the discretion of the Program Delivery Engineer, Unallocated Town Bridge Funds may be used to liquidate the outstanding balance, if so requested by the county.
5. There is no limit to the amount that may be advanced using local funds.

If at the time of the approval of a township bridge plan, there are insufficient funds available to advance the project to letting, the county may request to advance funds from the General Town Bridge Account. Advances will be repaid to the General Town Bridge Account from future allocations to the county’s Town Bridge Account. At the discretion of the State Aid Program Engineer, advances may also be repaid from future allocations to the Unallocated Town Bridge Account.

The following procedure is used to advance funds from the General Town Bridge Account:

1. The county must notify the State Aid Program Engineer that they wish to advance funds from the General Town Bridge Account. The request must be in the form of a resolution stating the amount of the advance and the terms for repayment (see example resolution attached).
2. In order to be considered for a general fund advance, the county must agree to let the project prior to the next Town Bridge Fund allocation.
3. Advances may be for no more than 3 times the previous years apportionment OR $200,000, whichever is more, but not more than $1 million total; AND the county must reasonably anticipate receiving a town bridge apportionment in the future (i.e. if a county is replacing their last deficient township bridge(s), they will not receive a future apportionment and therefore cannot advance funds).
4. Repayment shall be no longer than 3 years OR the minimum amount of time required to repay the advance using 100% of future allotments if that is more than 3 years. If the payback period is more than five years, prior approval must be obtained from the State Aid Program Engineer, who will use Unallocated Town Bridge Account funds to repay some or all-of-the advance. The repayment schedule must be in the resolution.
5. Requests to advance funds may be submitted at any time, but will not be acted upon prior to plan approval. Plans must still be approved prior to bid opening as required by State Aid rules, but the advance funding resolution need not be submitted until payment of advanced funds is requested.

Upon approval of the fund advance, the State Aid Program Engineer will encumber any funds that are available in the county’s account or from other available funds and will reserve funds from the General Town Bridge Account. The county will be notified in writing of the amount of the approved advance.

Repayments will occur automatically each January following the annual apportionments.

At the discretion of the State Aid Program Engineer, Unallocated Town Bridge Funds may be used to liquidate the outstanding advance balance, if so requested by the county.

Advance funding requests will be granted on a first come first served basis until the balance in the General Town Bridge Account reaches $4 million. (The annual allotment is about $7 million).

If necessary to increase the amount of the advance, the county may submit a resolution for a supplemental request to advance subject to the limitations above.

If after advanced funds have been reserved, a planned project letting is delayed until after the next allocation of funds, the county must notify the Program Delivery Engineer of the delay so that funds may be released to other counties.