EDITION 38: FEBRUARY 2026 |
New MDOT Applications Under Active Consideration Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) Federal Funding Requests Submitted Under ATP MAA has submitted federal funding requests totaling more than $62 million through the Airport Terminal Program (ATP), following the Federal Aviation Administration’s announcement of approximately $1 billion available in the final IIJA-funded round of the program. The proposed projects are outlined below. - BWI Passenger Movement Modernization Phase 2 - This effort advances $31.4 million in federal funding to modernize aging passenger conveyance infrastructure, including 40 vestibule doors, nine elevators, 10 escalators, and three moving walkways. As Phase 2 of the federally funded, multi-year Passenger Movement Modernization Program, the project addresses infrastructure that has exceeded its useful life and experiences frequent outages that disrupt
passenger mobility. The improvements will increase efficiency, reliability, and accessibility for families and a broad, multi-generational passenger population.
- BWI Concourse B Roof and A/B Skylights Replacement - This project proposes an $18.8 million federal investment to replace aging roof and skylight systems as part of BWI’s multi-year
Terminal Roof Replacement Program. The approximately 20-year-old Concourse B roof is in poor condition, with heavy rain events causing leaks that affect passenger safety and terminal accessibility, while the Concourse A/B food court skylights are delaminating and cloudy. Improvements will enhance climate control, restore natural light, and improve comfort and accessibility for BWI’s diverse, multi-generational passenger base.
- Martin State Airport's Air Traffic Control Tower Replacement - This initiative includes $11.9 million in federal funding to replace the existing 84-year-old air traffic control tower, one of the oldest in the nation. The new stand-alone facility will be located near the airfield midpoint on an elevated site, significantly improving controller line-of-sight, depth perception, ADA compliance, and working
conditions, while strengthening operational reliability and long-term climate resiliency.
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Masonville Cove Connector The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) has submitted a $3.8 million federal funding request through the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) to advance construction of the Masonville Cove
Connector (MCC), a 0.72-mile shared-use path along Frankfurst Avenue in Baltimore City. The project will provide safe, ADA-compliant pedestrian and bicycle access to the Masonville Cove Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership and Environmental Education Center while addressing longstanding safety and access challenges created by heavy truck traffic, CSX rail lines, and I-895. MDOT Urban Tree Grant Program The MDOT Urban Tree Grant Program remains open for applications supporting tree planting in urban areas affected by transportation projects through February 15. Funding of up to $5,000 per planting project is available, with additional support for approved pocket forest initiatives. Applications
are accepted on a rolling basis, with the next planting deadline set for July 15. Submissions must be completed through the OneStop portal and include County Forestry Board signoff. For questions or application assistance, contact Nick Kurtz, Urban Tree Grant Program Coordinator, at nkurtz@mdot.maryland.gov. Purple Line Small Business Grant Program: 2026 Application Cycles MDOT’s Purple Line Small Business Grant Program will continue providing financial support to eligible businesses impacted by construction in 2026 through three application cycles. These funding rounds offer multiple
opportunities for small businesses located along the Purple Line corridor to apply for assistance as work on the project continues. - Round 1 - Due April 3, 2026
- Round 2 - Due July 31, 2026
- Round 3 - Due November 7, 2026
The program is intended to help small businesses remain resilient and adapt to ongoing construction impacts. Full details on eligibility, application timelines, and requirements are available here. MDOT Hosts 2026 Grants Roadshow MDOT will bring its Grants Roadshow back to communities across the state in March 2026, hosting a series of in-person regional workshops focused on available
funding opportunities and strategies for submitting strong grant applications. Each session will highlight regionally relevant programs, key application considerations, and practical tips for navigating the grants process. 2026 Regional
Workshop Schedule: - Cambridge - Tuesday, March 3
- Waldorf - Tuesday, March 10
- Bel Air - Tuesday, March 17
- Williamsport - Thursday, March 26
Register for the 2026 Grant Roadshow Regional Events here. Open Federal IIJA Opportunities FRA: Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP) - This program provides $5 billion in FY 2024–2025 funding for
capital projects that reduce state-of-good-repair backlogs, improve performance, or expand or establish intercity passenger rail service. Eligible projects include rail infrastructure, equipment and facility rehabilitation, service performance and capacity improvements, new service development and associated planning, environmental review, and final design. Eligible applicants include states, public agencies, political subdivisions, Amtrak, federally recognized Tribes, and partnerships among
these entities. Applications are due February 6, 2026. FCT: FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program (FY 2026) - Airport sponsors seeking FY 2026 funding must submit FAA Form 5100-144 no later than February 17, 2026, with awards anticipated following FAA review and subject to the availability of funds.
The program makes up to $120 million available in Airport Infrastructure Grant funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to support airport-owned air traffic control tower projects that address aging airport infrastructure. Eligible applicants include airport sponsors that own airport traffic control towers. Eligible projects may include sustaining, constructing, repairing, improving, rehabilitating, modernizing, replacing, or relocating non-approach control towers; acquiring and
installing air traffic control, communications, and related equipment; and constructing FAA-certified remote towers, including associated equipment. Federal funding is provided through discretionary Airport Infrastructure Grant funds, with eligibility and award amounts determined in accordance with FAA program requirements. BUILD: Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (FY 2026) - The program makes $1.5 billion available for surface transportation projects. Eligible applicants include states, local governments, transit agencies, tribal governments, port authorities, and multijurisdictional groups. Projects may include highway, bridge, transit, rail,
port, intermodal, airport surface access, Tribal transportation, and certain aquatic-habitat culvert improvements. Federal cost share is capped at 80%, except for projects in Rural, APP, or HDC areas, which may receive up to 100% Federal funding. Applications for FY26 BUILD funds are due February 24, 2026, with awards anticipated by June 28, 2026. PIDP: Port Infrastructure Development Program - Applications for FY 2026 PIDP funds are due by February 28, 2026, with awards expected following MARAD’s review process. At least $450 million in FY 2026 IIJA funding is available nationwide to support port and port-related infrastructure improvements. Eligible applicants include states, local governments, public agencies and authorities,
special purpose districts, Tribal governments, port authorities, and multistate or multijurisdictional entities, including public–private partnerships. Eligible projects must be located within a port or directly connected to port operations or intermodal access and may include freight and intermodal infrastructure, marine terminal equipment, rail and highway connections, operational and resiliency improvements, environmental and emissions mitigation, and infrastructure supporting seafood and
seafood-related businesses. The federal cost share is generally capped at 80%, though projects located in rural areas or qualifying small projects at small ports may be eligible for a higher federal share. EDA: Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program - This
program provides competitive funding to support infrastructure, workforce, and economic recovery projects in distressed communities. Eligible activities include public works construction, broadband and utilities, workforce facilities, business incubators, revolving loan funds, and economic development planning aligned with a regional CEDS. Eligible applicants include states, local governments, Tribes, nonprofits, economic development organizations, and public-private partnerships. Applications
are accepted on a rolling basis, with cost share required. *Note: Some of these federal grants are subject to ongoing federal decisions. Please check these links for any
updated information. For more information about Open Federal Discretionary Grants, visit our webpage. |
All FY2026
Congressionally Directed Spending disclosures have been postponed. The following links provide information on the disclosure pages for members of the House and Senate: Visit our website for additional resources, including: - MDOT's EV Charger Siting & Installation Partnering Form
- Uniform Grants Guidance 2024 Revision
- Clean Cities and Communities: Funding Opportunities
- USDOT IIJA
Program
- USDOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard
- BIL Launchpad
- DOT Navigator
- MDOT’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
- MDOT's Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan (TRIP)
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