U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced more than $363 million in federal grants for state infrastructure and building projects in all 50 states on August 2.

The grants from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) were awarded based on proposals submitted by state and local governments and planning organizations across the country. Nearly 1,500 requests, totaling roughly $2.5 billion, were considered for funding.

The outlays will be spread across 12 programs, including National Scenic Byways (NSB); Public Lands Highway; Transportation, Community and System Preservation (TCSP); Ferry Boats and Highways For LIFE, a program for research and innovation to build safer and more efficient highways and bridges.

Most of the money earmarked for landscaping and streetscape projects falls under the Public Lands Highway, NSB and TCSP umbrellas. More than 1,100 of the requests were submitted for these programs, to the tune of more than $1.5 billion dollars, but only 283 projects were selected, totaling just over $176 million.

The bankroll for these projects comes from the recently passed transportation infrastructure bill, which allocates $105 billion in spending on related projects through September 2014. The new law drastically cut funding to landscape-related projects compared to the previous transportation bill, and opened up a wider variety of construction projects to said funds. Though the outpouring of government dollars will pay for and maintain many construction jobs for the foreseeable future, the impact on the landscaping industry will be less direct and more diluted than in previous cycles.

To view the full list of grants awarded, visit: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/discretionary/2012grantdata.cfm