Missouri

MoDOT's Freight Enhancement Program is focused on improving and maintaining the high priority freight assets and corridors that are critical to the movement of freight into, out of, within and through Missouri. This program is based on partnerships with freight stakeholders and public officials to identify the greatest freight movement needs and remove barriers to efficient movement of goods through capital improvements to the system.

Granting Agency / Department: MoDOT

Funding Cycle / Dates: Applications for this program are collected annually and evaluated based upon the project prioritization processes and goals developed in the State Freight Plan. Applications are being accepted for the State Fiscal Year 2026 Freight Enhancement Program through 5 p.m. May 7, 2025.

In June 2023, Governor Parson signed House Bill 4 providing MoDOT with additional funding to improve safety at Highway/Railroad crossings in Missouri.  Missouri’s State Action Plan for Highway/Railroad crossings identified the need to improve railroad crossing advance warning signs across the state. 

Granting Agency / Department: MoDOT

Funding Cycle / Dates: Applications are currently open

Authorized by the Missouri General Assembly in 1997, the STAR fund provides loans to local entities for non-highway projects such as rail, waterway and air travel infrastructure. The STAR fund can also provide loans to fund rolling stock for transit and the purchase of vehicles for elderly or handicapped persons. The STAR fund can assist in the planning, acquisition, development and construction of facilities for transportation by air, water, rail or mass transit; however, STAR fund monies cannot fund operating expenses. 

Granting Agency / Department: MoDOT

Funding Cycle / Dates: Applications appear to be open

The Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century (TEA 21) identified eligible projects as those projects eligible for assistance under title 23, United States Code, for capital projects (as defined in section 5302 of title 49, United States Code), or for any other project related to surface transportation that the secretary determines to be appropriate. Later, in the same section, it states “funds contributed to an infrastructure bank from funds made available to a state under subtitle V of title 49, United States Code, shall be used in a manner consistent with any project description specified under the law making the funds available to the state." Therefore, while transit, road and bridge projects can be funded by either federal transit or highway capitalization funds, rail projects can only be financed with rail funds coming to the state infrastructure bank.

Granting Agency / Department: MoDOT

Funding Cycle / Dates: Applications appear to be open