TA continues to build upon the legacy of the Transportation Enhancements (TE) and Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) programs by providing funding opportunities for local projects that support additional transportation options, strengthen local economies, improve quality of life, protect the natural environment, and enhance transportation infrastructure.
The Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside, formally known as Transportation Alternatives Program or TAP, from the Surface Transportation Block Grant(STBG) Program provides funding for a variety of transportation projects that prioritize safety, comfort, and connectivity to destinations for all people who use the street network such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; recreational trails; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments.
States and MPOs for urbanized areas with more than 200,000 people will conduct a competitive application process for the use of TA funds; eligible applicants include tribal governments, local governments, transit agencies, school districts, and a new eligibility for nonprofit organizations responsible for local transportation safety programs. The IIJA Act also newly allows each urbanized area of this size to use up to half of its sub allocated TA funds for any STBG-eligible purpose (but still subject to the TA-wide requirement for competitive selection of projects). All applicants regardless of population will be eligible for the statewide TAP program under the Flex category. Applicants that are under 15,000 population that fall within the ACOG/INCOG adjusted urbanized boundaries are eligible to apply for statewide funding in whichever population category they fall. All applicants will be limited to 2 applications per cycle.
Local Government Division
Matt VanAuken
TA Program Manager and ACOG & INCOG TAP Project Manager
(405) 436-3734
Matt.Vanauken@odot.ok.gov
