The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is seeking public input through a new Request for Information (RFI) under its Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative.

The ROUTES Initiative, established in 2019 and later codified in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, focuses on improving transportation infrastructure and mobility in rural and Tribal communities. The program works to connect rural stakeholders with federal transportation funding, technical assistance, and planning resources while improving how rural projects are evaluated within federal grant programs.

Through this RFI, USDOT is seeking feedback on unmet rural transportation infrastructure needs and the barriers communities face when planning and implementing projects. The agency is particularly interested in comments related to infrastructure conditions, roadway safety, multimodal freight and passenger needs, technology gaps — including broadband and digital infrastructure — and data limitations affecting rural project development.

DOT is also requesting input on challenges rural communities face when applying for and managing federal grants, including match requirements, environmental reviews, workforce constraints, and reporting obligations.

Economic developers, along with state and local governments, regional planning organizations, Tribal governments, and other stakeholders, are encouraged to submit feedback. Input gathered through this RFI will help inform future ROUTES tools, technical assistance offerings, and broader rural transportation policy priorities. 

Comments are due within 60 days of the notice’s publication and must be submitted through the federal rulemaking portal at: https://www.regulations.gov.

Additional information about the ROUTES Initiative is available at: https://www.transportation.gov/rural.