Overview

The National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program was created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund major projects that are too large or complex for traditional funding programs. The program will provide grants on a competitive basis to support multijurisdictional or regional projects of significance that may also cut across multiple modes of transportation. Eligible projects could include highway, bridge, freight, port, passenger rail, and public transportation projects of national and regional significance. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for funding to complete critical, large projects that would otherwise be unachievable without assistance.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will make awards under the Mega program both to projects greater than $500 million in cost, and to projects greater than $100 million but less than $500 million in cost.

For a Mega project to be selected, the USDOT must determine that the project meets all five requirements described below:

1. The project is likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits.
2. The project is in significant need of Federal funding.
3. The project will be cost-effective.
4. With respect to related non-Federal financial commitments, one or more stable and dependable funding or financing sources are available to construct, maintain, and operate the project, and to cover cost increases.
5. The applicant has, or will have, sufficient legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out the project.

Mineral County I-90 Improvements

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) submitted a MEGA grant application in May of 2022 for funding for a network of projects including TAFT – West reconstruction project and I-90 Structures – W of Alberton. The projects will address aging infrastructure, improve system operations to increase travel time reliability, and facilitate efficient and reliable freight movement along Interstate-90 in western Montana, which is part of the National Highway Freight Network, the most critical highways of the U.S. freight transportation system. Links are provided below for additional project and grant information:

• Taft-West – Preliminary Field Review (PFR)
• Taft-West – Alignment and Grade Review (AGR)
• I-90 Structures – W of Alberton – Preliminary Field Review (PFR)
• I-90 Structures – W of Alberton – Activity 112 Preliminary Traffic Report
• Taft-West – Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation and Pavement Assessment
• MDT Maintenance Management System – Taft-West & Alberton Bridge Activities
• I-90 Structures – W of Alberton – Activity 114 Final Type, Size, and Location Report
• Taft-West – Wildlife Accommodation Recommendation Memo
• Taft-West – Biological Resource Report/Preliminary Biological Assessment
• I-90 Structures – W of Alberton – Wildlife Accommodation Recommendation Memo
• I-90 Structures – W of Alberton – Biological Resources Report
• I-90 Structures – W of Alberton – Public Involvement Plan
• I-90 Variable Speed Limit Feasibility Study
• Categorical Exclusion Agreement Documentation
• Taft-West – Categorical Exclusion Document
• Initial Site Assessment for Hazardous Material/Substances, Traffic Noise, and Air Quality
• I-90 Structures – W of Alberton – Cultural Resource Evaluation
• Letters of Support for Mineral County I-90 Improvements Project