• Construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation, including sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, traffic calming techniques, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure, and transportation projects to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

 

• Construction, planning, and design 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 right-of-way to improve roadway safety, prevent against invasive species, and provide erosion control.

  • Archaeological activities relating to impacts from implementation of a transportation project eligible under 23 USC.

  • Streetscape and corridor landscaping.

 

• Any environmental mitigation activity, including pollution prevention/pollution abatement activities and mitigation to: 

  • Address stormwater management, control, and water pollution prevention or abatement related to highway construction due to highway runoff.

  • Reduce vehicle caused wildlife mortality or to restore and maintain connectivity among terrestrial or aquatic habitats.

 

• Construction or non-construction project eligible under the Safe Routes to School program under section 1404 of SAFETEA-LU. 

 

• A project eligible under the Recreational Trail program as defined by 23 USC 206.

 

All projects must be at least $20,000 in size.  Through the TAP program, up to 80% of the project’s costs are eligible for reimbursement.

 

The RPA has an application system where projects are submitted to the Area 15 Regional Planning Commission for review of eligibility.  Sponsors makes a presentation to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and projects are then scored by the TAC.  Projects must score at least 60 points to be considered for funding.  Projects that score at least 60 points may be recommended by the Technical Advisory Committee to the Policy Board. The Policy Board reviews the TAC’s recommendation before making the final approval on projects.  Projects approved by the Policy Board are included in the region’s Transportation Improvement Program, which becomes part of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.

 

 Applicants are encouraged to contact the Area 15 Regional Planning Commission prior to submitting an application to ensure it is an eligible activity and discuss the level of funding available.