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Bureau Bulletin Brief: April 23, 2026

USDOT Requests Comment on Proposed Preferred Maximum Loan Sizing Policy for Transit-Oriented Development Projects

On April 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Build America Bureau (Bureau) published a Notice of Proposed Guidance for Preferred Loan Sizing for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Projects, requesting comment on a proposed new policy to ensure Federal investments in TOD projects through Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loans maximize their benefits to transportation infrastructure and services.

The proposed guidance establishes a new policy on the preferred maximum loan size for TIFIA / RRIF TOD projects, describes what constitutes transportation benefits, and defines calculations of benefit values to transportation systems, stations, and services. The policy proposes that the preferred maximum loan size should not exceed the amount that is equal to four times (4x) the value of all transportation benefits and twenty times (20x) the value of benefits to the transit or rail station from which the TOD project derives its project eligibility. Effectively, the more “value” a project brings to transportation and its primary station, the more federal credit assistance it can potentially receive.

USDOT is accepting comments through May 18, 2026, via the Federal Register (Docket No. DOT-OST-2026-1487).

The Build America Bureau advances investment in transportation infrastructure by lending Federal funds to qualiﬁed borrowers; clearing roadblocks for credit worthy projects; and encouraging best practices in project planning, ﬁnancing, delivery, and operations. The Bureau draws on expertise across DOT to serve as a point of coordination for states, municipalities, private partners, and other project sponsors seeking federal ﬁnancing and technical assistance.

If you are interested in exploring federal financing with the Build America Bureau, please contact us at BuildAmerica@dot.gov.