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Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

 

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The 2021 Application Cycle for TAP and RTP funding is now open and will close on June 1, 2021.


The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act replaced the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) with a set-aside of Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program funding for transportation alternatives. These set-aside funds include all projects and activities that were previously eligible under TAP, encompassing a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school projects, community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, and environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity.

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) codified the TAP under sections 213(b) and 101(a)(29) of title 23, United States Code (U.S.C.). The FAST Act repealed section 213, removed the former 101(a)(29), and recodified the program (as a set-aside of STBG funding) under 23 U.S.C. 133(h). For administrative purposes, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is calling these funds the "Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside" or "TA Set-Aside." AHTD however, will still refer to this program as the TAP for consistency and so as not to confuse applicants.

The TAP provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, replacing the funding from per-MAP-21 programs including Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School (SRTS), wrapping them into a single funding source.

Project sponsors apply for TAP program funds through a competitive process with the applications being reviewed by the TAP Advisory Committee (TAPAC).

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is now a set aside of TAP funding but still retains its previous guidance. New RTP projects are also selected through a competitive process with those applications being reviewed by the Arkansas Recreational Trails Program Advisory Committee (ARTAC).

If an applicant feels that their project is qualified under both programs, they may apply to both the TAP and RTP in the same application cycle. However, if chosen for funding, the project would only receive funding from either the TAP or the RTP, not both.

Program Funding

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is a reimbursement-type grant program.  The program provides for an 80 percent federal share and a 20 percent match will be required from the eligible sponsor.  Use of in-kind match will not be permitted for TAP projects.  The 20 percent match must be in cash.  In-kind match will be permitted for RTP projects.

Federal funds provided can only be used for project construction.  Costs associated with preliminary engineering, environmental documentation, right-of-way and utility adjustments, and construction inspection will be the responsibility of the eligible sponsor.

Plans which include the design of structural components, such as pedestrian bridges, tunnels, or scenic overlooks, must be stamped by a Registered Professional Engineer.  Plans which include the design of only non-structural components, such as concrete sidewalks or paved trails, must be stamped by a Registered Professional Engineer.  Plans which include the design of only non-infrastructure components will not require either.

Funding limitations are as follows:

  There will be no minimum requested funding amount on projects containing only non-
    infrastructure components.
  Projects containing infrastructure components will have a minimum requested funding
    amount of $20,000.
  All TAP and RTP projects will have a maximum requested funding amount of $500,000.

Eligible Projects

TAP funds may be used for the following:

  Construction of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
    non-motorized forms of transportation
  Construction of infrastructure-related projects and systems that will provide safe routes
    for non-drivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities to
    access daily needs
  Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists,
    or other non-motorized transportation users
  Construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas
  Community improvement activities, including:
  inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising
  historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities
  vegetation management practices in transportation rights-of-way to improve
    roadway safety, prevent against invasive species, and provide erosion control
  archaeological activities relating to impacts from implementation of an eligible
    transportation project
  Any environmental mitigation activity, including pollution prevention and pollution
    abatement activities and mitigation to:
  address stormwater management, control, and water pollution prevention or
    abatement related to highway construction or due to highway runoff
  reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality or to restore and maintain connectivity
    among terrestrial or aquatic habitats
  Construction of boulevards and other roadways largely in the right-of-way of former
    Interstate System routes or other divided highways
  Recreational Trails Program eligible activities
  Safe Routes to School eligible activities

Eligible Sponsors

Applications for TAP funds will be accepted from the following:
 [23 U.S.C. 133(h)(4)(B)]

  local governments, including city and county governments
  regional transportation authorities
  transit agencies
  natural resource or public land agencies
  school districts, local education agencies, or schools
  tribal governments
  any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for oversight of
    transportation or recreational trails

Under TAP, nonprofits are not eligible as direct grant recipients of TAP funds.  Nonprofits may partner with any eligible entity on an eligible TAP project.

For TAP and RTP projects, any eligible sponsor that is within the state will be allowed to apply for funds.

Application

The application can be downloaded by clicking the Application tab at the top of this page.

Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School program funding has been incorporated into the TAP program.  More information regarding Safe Routes to School eligible projects can be located through the following link.

Link to Safe Routes to School Information

Recreational Trails

The Recreational Trails program is funded through a portion of TAP funds set aside specifically for recreational trails. [23 USC 213(f)-(g)]  More information regarding Recreational Trails program funds and eligible projects and can be located through the following link.

Link to Recreational Trails Information



Contact Information

Daniel Siskowski
Program Management Division
Email: LFPA@ardot.gov

Phone: (501) 569-2481
Fax: (501) 569-2623

 

 

 

 

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