Surface Transportation Program - Suballocated (STP-S)

The Surface Transportation Block Grant Program – Suballocated (STP-S) is administered by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments (EWG), a regional planning organization serving the St. Louis metropolitan area. EWG plays a central role in coordinating regional efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and safety. The STP-S program is one of several competitive funding initiatives EWG administers to support federally eligible transportation projects across jurisdictions in both Illinois and Missouri that fall within its planning region. The program is authorized under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), reflecting its alignment with national transportation goals and standards. The STP-S program offers flexible federal funding intended to support projects that enhance the condition and performance of Federal-aid highways and related infrastructure. Eligible project types include roadway resurfacing or reconstruction, bridge replacement and rehabilitation, traffic flow improvements, transit capital projects, and construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Highway and transit safety improvements, including upgrades to railway-highway grade crossings, are also eligible. However, projects on roads classified as local or rural minor collectors do not qualify, except for certain bridge replacements with minimal eligible connecting roadwork. Notably, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure may be funded regardless of roadway classification. Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, and state government entities within the EWG region, as well as agencies such as Bi-State Development/Metro, Madison County Transit District, and Great Rivers Greenway. Nonprofit organizations may participate only through partnerships with eligible public entities. These stipulations ensure that projects funded through STP-S are locally rooted and supported by agencies with the capacity to manage federally funded transportation improvements. The 2025 STP-S application cycle opened on November 4, 2024, with a submission deadline of February 7, 2025. Applicants from both Illinois and Missouri may apply for STP-S, CMAQ/CRP, and TAP funding during this cycle. In addition to submitting applications and supporting documents, project sponsors are encouraged to participate in virtual project review meetings hosted by EWG on January 9, 10, 16, and 17, 2025. These 30-minute sessions provide an opportunity to discuss project specifics with EWG staff. Program guidance and scoring criteria can be found in the STP-S Project Development Workbook and related documents available through EWG. Funding distribution and requirements vary by state. For Illinois-based projects, STP-S will cover up to 80 percent of costs for construction and construction engineering, while preliminary engineering and right-of-way acquisition costs must be covered entirely with local funds. For Missouri-based projects, the 80 percent federal cost share also applies to preliminary engineering and right-of-way acquisition in addition to construction and construction engineering. All local matches are set at 20 percent for applicable costs. All applications must be submitted by the February 7, 2025, deadline. EWG staff are available for questions and can be reached at stps@ewgateway.org. For general inquiries, the Council's main office is located at 1 S. Memorial Dr., Suite 1600, St. Louis, MO 63102, and can be contacted via phone at (314) 421-4220 or (618) 274-2750. Further details and updates can be found on the EWG website.

study the STP-S Project Development Workbook and participate in virtual project review meetings when possible