SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Great American Digital Corridors (GADC) Program.

Background: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in partnership with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, administers the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Great American Digital Corridors (GADC) Program Cooperative Agreement. The GADC Program was authorized under Section 11101(c)(1)(D) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 117-58) to carry out the Intelligent Transportation Systems Program pursuant to Title 23, United States Code (U.S.C.) §§ 512-518.

The purpose of the GADC Program is to support States and eligible entities in advancing the deployment of digital infrastructure along the Federal-aid highway system, including the Interstate System. The program's goals include modernizing the digital infrastructure of the Federal-aid highway system, including the Interstate System, to improve safety and efficiency, reduce congestion, and optimize freight movement. Digital infrastructure supports the modernization of transportation systems by enabling the exchange of precise, accurate, and reliable digital feeds of work zones, lane closures, and other dynamic, real-time operational conditions. By using digital infrastructure to bridge the gap between physical infrastructure and digital intelligence, infrastructure owner-operators can improve safety, efficiency, security, and mobility for transportation workers and all road users.

The program provides competitive cost-reimbursable cooperative agreements to eligible entities, including States, local and Tribal governments, transit agencies, public toll authorities, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), other political subdivisions of a State or local government, private entities, nonprofit organizations, and ( printed page 66193) academic institutions may apply as an eligible entity and lead administration of the project, provided they apply as part of consortium with one or more other eligible entities, and consortiums of eligible entities. The Federal share for GADC projects is 100 percent, requiring no non-Federal match. The FHWA announced the availability of up to $20 million for fiscal year 2026 funding to support these digital infrastructure improvements.

Respondents: The NOFO announcing up to $20 million of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, funding for GADC cooperative agreement will be available for eligible respondents entities, including States, local and Tribal governments, transit agencies, public toll authorities, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), other political subdivisions of a State or local government, private entities, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions may apply as an eligible entity and lead administration of the project, provided they apply as part of consortium with one or more other eligible entities, and consortiums of eligible entities. FHWA is expecting approximately 20 applicants to apply for the GADC cooperative agreement.

Frequency: NOFOs and cooperative agreement solicitations may be published annually by FHWA but, are subject to the availability of funds in appropriations or, any legislation signed into law authorizing funds.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: 10 hours per respondent per applicant.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: It is expected that the respondents will complete approximately 20 applications for the program, for an estimated total of 200 annual burden hours (10hrs × 20 = 200hrs).

Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA's performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48.