The U.S. Department of Transportation published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the FY 2023-2024 Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity (MPDG) that includes three grant programs.

1. National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA).
2. Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects (INFRA).
3. Rural Surface Transportation Grant.

The grants are awarded on a competitive basis for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant national or regional impact, or to improve and expand surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas.

There is up to $3.1 Billion available for the INFRA program. Completion of the SE Connector fits info the INFRA program.

The estimated construction cost of the SE Connector from SE 30th Street to US Highway 65 is $58 million. The grant application will also include $1 million for infrastructure improvements needed for proposed expansion to the Des Moines Industrial transload facility. The Cities of Des Moines and Pleasant Hill are submitting a joint grant application for $34 million by the August 21, 2023 deadline.