Discretionary Bridge Program (DBP)

History - The Discretionary Bridge Program (DBP) was a component of the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (HBRRP). The DBP was initially authorized under Section 124 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1978 and its last reauthorization was under Section 1109 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). Section 1114 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU, P.L. 109-59) replaced the DBP with the Bridge Set-Asides; an authorization for the appropriation of $100,000,000.00 for designated projects, 23 U.S.C. 144(f).

Description - The DBP was intended for the replacement and rehabilitation of high cost highway bridges and for the seismic retrofit of highway bridges. Eligibility requirements for the program included that the project had to be for the replacement or rehabilitation of a deficient bridge located on a Federal-Aid highway, and had an estimated cost greater than $10 million or a cost that was twice the amount of HBRRP funds apportioned to the State in which the bridge was located. Projects for the seismic retrofit of non-deficient highway bridges were also eligible.

Availability of Funds - As defined in 23 U.S.C. 118, allocated funds for the DBP program were available for obligation to a State for a period of 3 years after the last day of the fiscal year for which the funds were authorized.

Contact -- Office of Bridge Technology (HIBT), Mr. Everett Matias at 202-366-6712.