DOT clears billions in grant money for infrastructure projects

$2.9 billion for 529 projects had been caught in three-year backlog

DOT has lifted certain restrictions for infrastructure projects set by the Biden administration. (Photo: John Gallagher/FreightWaves)

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has cleared 529 infrastructure projects worth more than $2.9 billion in federal grants previously awarded by the Biden administration that had been caught in a three-year backlog.

“The Trump Administration inherited more than 3,200 unobligated grants that had been announced by the previous administration but never obligated” with federal funding, the U.S. Department of Transportation stated in an announcement on Tuesday.

“This unprecedented backlog of unobligated grants delayed critical investments in communities across the country.”

Among the projects previously announced but now obligated with federal grant funds are $47 million to establish an offshore wind logistics and manufacturing hub near the Port of Baltimore, approved in 2023; $21 million to rehabilitate track and other rail assets owned by the Great Lakes Central railroad in Michigan, approved in 2022; $12 million to install a container yard and electrification system at SeaPort Manatee, Florida, approved in 2022, and 9 million to purchase new freight-handling equipment at Port Angeles, Washington, approved in 2024.

The offshore wind logistics hub project, known as the Sparrows Point Steel Marshalling Port Project and being built by offshore wind developer US Wind, is one of the last offshore-wind related projects to receive funding since President Trump ordered in February a moratorium on new or renewed federal actions for onshore and offshore wind projects, pending federal review.

In announcing the latest project funding obligations, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he is refocusing the department’s competitive grant programs “on core infrastructure – not enacting a radical political agenda.

“With a third of the last administration’s unprecedented backlog cleared, we will continue to rip out red tape roadblocks to get dirt moving.”

A breakdown of the latest grants cleared for funding can be found here.

Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

John Gallagher

Based in Washington, D.C., John specializes in regulation and legislation affecting all sectors of freight transportation. He has covered rail, trucking and maritime issues since 1993 for a variety of publications based in the U.S. and the U.K. John began business reporting in 1993 at Broadcasting & Cable Magazine. He graduated from Florida State University majoring in English and business.