Highway Infrastructure Program

The Highway Infrastructure Program (HIP) provides federal funds for road, bridge, ferry, transit capital, and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) capital projects for the elimination of hazards and the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossing.

Allocations by Federal Fiscal Year (FFY)

Federal funding

The Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2021, provided WA $37.3 million of Highway Infrastructure Programs (HIP) apportioned as the STBG program (23 U.S.C. 133(d)) for roads, bridges, elimination of hazards and the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings and charging infrastructure along corridor-ready or corridor-pending alternative fuel corridors. Typically, unanticipated federal funding is distributed between state and local jurisdictions based on the percentage determined by Governor Inslee’s federal funds working group. For Federal Fiscal Year 2021 the distribution between state and local jurisdictions was 61% of federal funding to WSDOT and 39% to local jurisdictions. However, a fundamental assumption used by the Working Group was that all National Highway Freight Program (NHFP) funding would be provided to the State DOT. Since this did not occur, the state has received a larger share of the unanticipated federal funding to reimburse the Department for the shift of NHFP funding. To address this shift in funding, an increased share of the HIP funds is being programmed by WSDOT on preservation projects, utilizing the funds for areas with a population of 5,000 or less and areas with population between 5,001 and 200,000. Funding for areas with a population over 200,000 is distributed to the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) that contain this population group (BFCG, PSRC, RTC and SRTC). $26.4 million of the $37.3 million in total HIP funds is set-aside for a bridge replacement and rehabilitation programs and is not part of this distribution.

Below are the detailed requirements for the 2021 funds:

  • Eligible activities – construction of roads, bridges, elimination of hazards and the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings, charging infrastructure along corridor-ready or corridor-pending alternative fuel corridors and other activities eligible under 23 USC 133(b). Construction includes design and right of way that directly relates to the construction of these projects (23 USC 101(a)(4)).
  • HIP funds are not eligible to be utilized on:
    Rural minor collectors or local access,
    Transportation alternatives, and
    Transportation planning and studies.
  • Projects must be identified in the TIP/STIP – fund codes are:
    HIP(UL) – Over 200,000 population
    HIP – WSDOT projects
  • 13.5% match required
  • 2021 funds must be obligated by September 30, 2024, or the funds lapse
  • CFDA #20.205 – Highway Planning and Construction

2020 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act

The 2020 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act provided WA $45.1 million of Highway Infrastructure funds apportioned as the STBG program (23 CFR 133(d)) for road, bridge, ferry, transit capital, and ITS capital projects, and for the elimination of hazards and the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings. $33.7 million of $45.1 million in total HIP funds is set aside for a bridge replacement and rehabilitation program and is not part of this distribution.

Below are the detailed requirements for the 2020 funds:

  • Eligible activities – construction of road, bridge, ferry, transit capital, and ITS capital projects, and for the elimination of hazards and the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings per 23 USC sections 133 (b)(1) and 133(b)(4). Construction includes design and right of way that directly relates to the construction of these projects (23 USC 101(a)(4)). HIP funds are not eligible to be utilized on:
    Rural minor collectors or local access,
    Transportation alternatives,
    Transportation planning and studies.
  • Projects must be identified in the STIP - fund codes are:
    HIP(UL) – (Urban large) Over 200,000 population
    HIP – WSDOT projects
  • 13.5% match required
  • 2020 funds must be obligated by September 30, 2023, or the funds lapse.
  • CFDA #20.205

2019 Omnibus bill

The 2019 Omnibus bill provided WA $47.2 million of Highway Infrastructure funds apportioned as the STBG program (23 CFR 133(d)) for road and bridge projects and for the elimination of hazards and the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings.

Below are the detailed requirements for the 2019 funds:

  • Eligible activities – only construction of highways, bridges and tunnels per 23 USC 133 (b)(1)(A) and for the elimination of hazards and the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings. Construction includes design and right of way that directly relates to the construction of these projects (23 USC 101(a)(4)). HIP funds are not eligible to be utilized on:
    Rural minor collectors or local access,
    Transportation alternatives, ferries, transit, etc.
    Transportation planning and studies.
  • Projects must be identified in the STIP - fund codes are:
    HIP(UL) – (Urban large) Over 200,000 population
    HIP – WSDOT projects
  • 13.5% match required
  • 2019 funds must be obligated by September 30, 2022, or the funds lapse.
  • CFDA #20.205

2018 Omnibus bill

The 2018 Omnibus bill provided WA $34.1 million of Highway Infrastructure funds apportioned as the STBG program (23 CFR 133(d)) for road and bridge projects.

Below are the detailed requirements for the 2018 funds:

  • Eligible activities – only construction of highways, bridges and tunnels per 23 USC 133 (b)(1)(A). Construction includes design and right of way that directly relates to the construction of the roadway project (23 USC 101(a)(4)). HIP funds are not eligible to be utilized on:
    Rural minor collectors or local access,
    Transportation alternatives, ferries, transit, etc.
    Transportation planning and studies.
  • Projects must be identified in the STIP - fund codes are:
    HIP(UL) – (Urban large) Population over 200,000
    HIP(US) – (Urban small) Population between 5,001 and 200,000
    HIP(R) – (Rural) Population of 5,000 or less

Slow down – lives are on the line. 

In 2023, speeding continued to be a top reason for work zone crashes.

Even one life lost is too many.

Fatal work zone crashes doubled in 2023 - Washington had 10 fatal work zone crashes on state roads.

It's in EVERYONE’S best interest.

95% of people hurt in work zones are drivers, their passengers or passing pedestrians, not just our road crews.