The purpose of the BIT3 Program is to fund the replacement or rehabilitation of county-owned bridges that are classified as Type 3 bridges[1] by the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and cross a water conveyance structure owned by USBR.

Eligible applicants under the BIT3 Competitive Grant Program are counties which own a Type 3 bridge crossing a water conveyance structure owned by USBR.

Projects eligible for funding are projects for the replacement or rehabilitation of bridges that: (A) are owned by a county; (B) are classified as a Type 3 bridge by USBR; (C) are eligible under the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) (23 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 204); and (D) cross a water conveyance structure owned by USBR.

The BIT3 Competitive Grant Program does not require a minimum cost share. The Federal share for BIT3 Competitive Grant Program funds shall be 100 percent of funds requested for eligible project scope.

[1] Type 3 bridge means any non-USBR-owned bridge over 20 feet in length, or bridge-like structure between 6 and 20 feet in length, that crosses a USBR dam, associated facility, power facility, or land interest (Reclamation Manual Directives and Standards FAC 07-01, as updated on June 9, 2023). An associated facility means all remaining Reclamation facilities other than high- and significant-hazard potential dams. Types of associated facilities include: carriage, distribution, and drainage systems [canals]; pumping and pump-generating plants; tunnels; penstocks, siphons, and pipelines; diversion and storage dams (low-hazard potential) and regulating reservoirs; fish passage and protective facilities, including hatcheries; river channelization features; rural/municipal water systems; desalting and other water treatment plants; facilities constructed under past loan programs; and recreation facilities (Reclamation Manual Directives and Standards FAC 01-04, as updated on April 13, 2020).