Constructing Resilient and Enduring Waterfronts program

(a)

In general

Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

180.

Constructing Resilient and Enduring Waterfronts program

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Program

The term program means the Constructing Resilient and Enduring Waterfronts program established under subsection (b). (2)

Urban waterfront

The term urban waterfront means an area of land within an urbanized area that is in the vicinity of a major river, lake, estuary, or ocean that—(A)includes land immediately adjacent to that body of water; and (B)is planned or used for multiple uses, including residential and commercial uses, public parks and green space, and infrastructure to support such uses. (3)

Urban waterfront development plan

The term urban waterfront development plan means a plan that—(A)considers the improvement of all, or 1 or more parts, of an urban waterfront for the purposes of economic development, housing, safety, and resilience to flooding and extreme weather; and(B)identifies a need for not less than $200,000,000 in investments for transportation, public spaces, and other infrastructure at the urban waterfront. (b)

Establishment

The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the Constructing Resilient and Enduring Waterfronts program, to provide grants, on a competitive basis, to rebuild and improve transportation infrastructure at urban waterfronts.(c)

Purposes

The purposes of the program are—(1)to improve the resilience of public space and public infrastructure from extreme weather events, flooding, and rising sea levels;(2)to improve circulation and access to waterfront resources for the general public;(3)to unlock the economic benefits of urban waterfronts; and(4)to restore and improve air quality and water quality at urban waterfronts.(d)

Eligible entities

An entity eligible to receive a grant under the program is any of the following:(1)A State or political subdivision of a State.(2)A metropolitan planning organization.(3)A unit of local government. (4)A special purpose district or public authority established for the purpose of implementing an urban waterfront development plan.(5)A nonprofit entity established and authorized by a State to implement an urban waterfront development plan.(e)

Application

To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, an eligible entity described in subsection (d) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (f)

Eligible costs

Funds from a grant under the program may be used for—(1)reconstruction and realignment of the street network at the urban waterfront in order—(A)to expand access to the waterfront to larger numbers of visitors;(B)to calm traffic; or(C)to provide safer conditions for people using nonmotorized transportation;(2)construction of pedestrian walkways at the urban waterfront;(3)construction or improvement of green infrastructure at the urban waterfront—(A)to improve natural conditions;(B)to strengthen resilience; or (C)to provide flood protection;(4)construction or improvement of infrastructure at the urban waterfront providing resilience and protection against flooding and sea level rise, such as seawalls;(5)activities to repair or improve utilities required by or associated with construction of roadways or other transportation infrastructure at the urban waterfront;(6)changes or improvements to stormwater infrastructure at the urban waterfront; (7)installation, replacement, or repair of lighting, signage, or planting at the urban waterfront; or(8)activities eligible under section 133(h). (g)

Urban waterfront development plan

(1)

In general

To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, an eligible entity described in subsection (d) shall—(A)demonstrate that there is in effect for the urban waterfront an urban waterfront development plan that was developed by the applicable unit of local government through a robust process of public engagement; (B)demonstrate that the urban waterfront development plan has taken into consideration the best available science and data regarding the vulnerabilities of the urban waterfront to flooding caused by sea level rise or extreme weather events; and(C)demonstrate the need for implementing the project as part of the urban waterfront development plan in terms of the progress the project would make toward achieving 1 or more purposes described in subsection (c). (2)

Multiple existing plans

The Secretary may determine that an eligible entity has made the demonstration described in paragraph (1)(A) through a combination of existing plans.(3)

Inclusion

A project eligible to be carried out under the program shall be within the scope of the applicable urban waterfront development plan.(h)

Grant amount

A grant provided under the program shall be not less than $30,000,000.(i)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out the program $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The analysis for chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 179 the following:

180. Constructing Resilient and Enduring Waterfronts program.