USDOT Launches $650K National Design Competition to “Beautify” America’s Transportation Infrastructure

Transportation policy in Washington has taken an unusual turn. On March 13, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a nationwide design competition that asks a simple question: What should America’s infrastructure look like?

The new effort, called the Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge, invites people of all ages and experience levels to submit ideas for bridges, transit hubs and corridors, and rural transportation features, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The goal is not just to move people and goods efficiently, but to rethink how highways, airports and rail stations reflect the country itself.

“From the Golden Gate Bridge to Grand Central Station, America has a proud history of building stunning transportation landmarks that move us,” Duffy said in announcing the competition. He argued that modern infrastructure too often focuses solely on function and cost, leaving design and civic pride behind. The challenge, he said, is meant to inspire a new generation of ideas that could shape projects for decades.

The Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge

The competition includes $650,000 in prize money divided into three tiers. Established design professionals will compete for a $500,000 pool, with $250,000 awarded to the top entry. Independent artists and members of the public will compete for $100,000, with $50,000 going to the winner. Students in grades 6 through 12 will compete for $50,000, with a $25,000 top prize.

Submissions open March 13, 2026, at 9 a.m. Eastern and close May 13 at 5 p.m. Winners are expected to be announced in July.

Designers must apply through the Department of Transportation website and submit a completed package by email. The department will host a public webinar on March 25 to answer questions.

A Council to Shape the Vision

The competition does not stand alone. It is tied to a broader initiative launched last fall when Duffy created the Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Council. The advisory group, which held its first meeting in early February, is tasked with offering guidance on how federally supported transportation projects should look and feel.

The council does not control funding or approve projects. Instead, it will advise the Transportation Department on policies, design concepts and possible funding priorities. Even so, its influence could be significant if its recommendations shape how future bridges, highways and airports are designed.

One of the council’s first responsibilities is to oversee the national design competition. Another is to develop a guidebook, tentatively titled “Beauty and Transportation,” that would outline aesthetic principles for new construction and renovations tied to federal dollars.

Tied to a Broader Federal Architecture Push

The initiative aligns with President Donald J. Trump’s executive order issued in August 2025, titled “Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again.” The order encourages traditional and classical architectural styles for federal buildings, drawing inspiration from ancient Greece and Rome. Supporters argue that such designs are widely admired and convey permanence and civic pride.

The council is chaired by Justin Shubow, president of the National Civic Art Society, a nonprofit that advocates for classical architecture and helped draft the executive order. In opening remarks, Shubow said federal buildings should be beautiful and uplifting, admired by ordinary Americans. He also said the council should not mandate a single style, but should make clear that classical and traditional designs remain valid options.

What “Beautiful” Means in Practice

Transportation officials have drafted preliminary principles to guide the group’s work. Among them is the idea that infrastructure should inspire the human spirit, lend prestige to the nation and foster a sense of place and community pride. The principles suggest that projects should build on the past while serving modern needs.

Council members come from a range of fields, including architecture, engineering, construction and state transportation agencies. Early discussions reflected a mix of views. Some pointed to iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Cincinnati’s Union Terminal as examples of memorable civic design. Others suggested more modest but visible improvements, such as artistic lighting beneath bridges or regionally appropriate landscaping along highways.

From Concept to Construction

The conversation may already be moving beyond theory. After attending the council’s opening session, Duffy traveled to the White House to meet with President Trump about a possible redesign of Dulles International Airport. Duffy described it as a project the president is interested in reviewing and potentially revamping.

Whether the effort produces sweeping classical terminals or subtler design upgrades, it marks a shift in federal transportation policy. For decades, debates in Washington have centered on funding levels, safety standards and environmental reviews. Now, appearance has entered the conversation.

A Shift in Transportation Policy

The outcome of the competition and the council’s recommendations will help determine whether beauty becomes a lasting priority in American infrastructure or a brief experiment. For now, the department is betting that designers, artists and students across the country are ready to imagine what the next generation of American landmarks could look like.

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation, The White House