; and (2) the improvement or expansion of existing roads and bridges where traffic congestion is a concern for the safe and efficient evacuation of small communities and rural counties in the event of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding. (b) Establishment of program The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (referred to in this Act as the Secretary ), shall establish a competitive grant program in accordance with this section to provide grants to eligible entities described in subsection (c) for transportation infrastructure projects in rural counties that connect small communities to broader thoroughfares and evacuation routes that are essential for supporting mass evacuations caused by emergency weather events. (c) Eligible entities The Secretary may award a grant under this section to any of the following entities: (1) A State. (2) A regional planning organization or economic development authority. (3) A unit of local government. (4) A political subdivision of a State or unit of local government. (5) A special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, including a port authority or airport. (6) A Federal land management agency that applies for the grant jointly with a State or group of States. (7) A Tribal government or a consortium of Tribal governments. (d) Eligible projects The Secretary may award a grant under this section for a project— (1) in an area that is— (A) within a city or county with a population of less than 200,000 individuals; and (B) frequently impacted by extreme weather events and related hazards, as designated by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and (2) (A) to build new connector roads; (B) to improve or expand existing roads that are inadequate for efficient evacuation; (C) to expand 2-lane bridges that require expansion for efficient evacuation