Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)                            

Overview

 

On July 6, 2012, the new transportation bill “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century”  (MAP-21) was signed into law. This two-year transportation bill became effective Oct. 1, 2012, and included significant changes to the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program set forth in SAFETEA-LU. MAP-21 established  the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)  which combined several programs including many of the prior Transportation Enhancement (TE) activities, the Recreational Trails program and the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.

In SAFETEA-LU, there were 12 eligible transportation enhancement activities. Under MAP-21, there are four defined eligible activities for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), including one called “transportation alternatives,” which replaces the 12 prior transportation enhancement activities with ten qualifying eligibilities.

In addition to eliminating some previously eligible transportation enhancement activities, modifications were made that more narrowly define the types of projects that qualify for funding. The overall theme of the revisions appears to expand the eligibilities from strictly enhancing the transportation system to include planning, construction and design related to compliance with existing federal regulations. 

Not only did MAP-21 change the eligible activities, it also made changes in how the federal funds will be distributed. MAP-21 states that once funds are taken off the top to fund the Recreational Trails Program, the remaining TAP funds will be split, with 50 percent of these remaining funds being distributed based on population and 50 percent being distributed anywhere statewide.  

MAP-21 also provides that Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in the four identified Transportation Management Areas (TMAs) will make project selections in their area. The “MPO and TMA Listing” is below.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) adopted an updated TA Program Policy on July 17, 2013 to guide future fiscal year selections.

Next Application Cycle - Deadline November 1, 2014 (postmarked by November 1st or hand delivered by October 31st)

The application cycle for FY16 will begin in early July and VDOT will hold applicant workshops in July/August.  

Transportation Alternatives Program Information

• Transportation Alternatives Program Guide
• FY16 Transportation Alternatives application
• FY16 TA Application instructions (coming soon)
• 2014 Applicant workshops  (147 KB)
• Sample resolution (12 KB)
• MAP-21 and Transportation Enhancements (415 KB)
• Transportations Alternatives - Presentation
• CTB Resolution Adopting TA Selection Policy
• TAP Project Eligibility Guidance
• MPO and TMA listings
• District Coordinators for TA/Enhancement Program
• TA/Enhancement Quarterly Progress Report

Program Allocations

• FY15 Transportation Alternatives Allocations
• FY14 Transportation Alternatives Allocations
• FY14 allocations shown by funding distribution

Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program                

The TE Program was replaced by the TAP  with the passage of MAP-21 in June 2012, but the funding approved under prior legislation will continue to be guided by the prior Transportation Enhancement program guidelines.  

Existing TE projects that still qualify under the TAP eligibilities – sidewalks, trails, historic depots, etc. – can apply for TAP funding.  

For those existing projects that no longer qualify under TAP eligibilities – historic mills, transportation museums, historic / scenic driving tours, etc. – the only possibility of receiving additional funds from this program would be any de-allocated funds from cancelled or completed projects.  

These requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Program History

The Transportation Enhancement Program was created with the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991.  With this act, Congress required each state to set aside 10 percent of its Surface Transportation Program funds for transportation enhancement projects.

This program offered broad opportunities and federal funding for creative projects that integrated transportation into our communities and environment. The legislation designated 12 activities meant to improve non-motorized transportation, enhance the public’s traveling experience, revitalize communities, and improve the quality of life.

This program continued with enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) in 1998 and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) in 2005. SAFETEA-LU expired Sept. 30, 2009 and through a series of continuing resolutions, Congress extended the program funding through Sept. 30, 2012.

 Note: All files are in Adobe PDF format   unless noted.

Transportation Enhancement Program Information

• Enhancement Program Procedure Manual
• TE project eligibility (revised 2009)
• Funding
• Metropolitan Planning Organizations
• Sample resolution (revised 2009)
• Enhancement Quarterly Progress Report

Project Sponsor Workshop Presentations

• 2011 Sponsor workshop
• Plan Design
• Environmental Requirements
• Aspects of a Good Contract
• Reimbursement and Match
• DBE Goal Setting and Good Faith Efforts

Program Allocations

• 2012 selections (Fiscal Year 2013 allocations)
• 2011 selections (Fiscal Year 2012 allocations)
• Stimulus funding (ARRA)
• 2009 selections (Fiscal Year 2010 allocations)
• 2008 selections (Fiscal Year 2009 allocations)
• 2007 selections (Fiscal Year 2008 allocations)
• 2006 selections (Fiscal Year 2007 allocations)

Contact Us:

Pam Liston 804-786-2734
Virginia Department of Transportation
Local Assistance Division
1401 E. Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23219

Fax:  804-371-0847
E-mail: EnhancementProgram@VDOT.Virginia.gov