TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP) Funding & Application Process Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization July 19, 2017
2 What is TAP? • The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) was new under MAP-21 and has been modified under the 2015 FAST-Act to be included as a “set - aside” of the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program funding for transportation alternatives (TA). • The MPO and ALDOT will continue to refer to the funding as TAP for simplicities sake. • Combines previous programs, including: • Transportation Enhancements (TE) • Safe Routes to Schools • Scenic Byways • Cost reimbursement program and requires 20% local match • Applications are submitted to the Mobile MPO and ALDOT
3 Federal Funding Statewide TAP Funding Estimates FY 2017 Population over 200,000 (Large Urban - Administered by MPOs) $2,762,764 Only available in Mobile, Birmingham, Phenix City, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Lillian Population 5,000 to 200,000 (Small Urban - Administered by ALDOT) $1,699,031 Only available in Small Urban Areas (Like the Eastern Shore MPO) Population 4,999 or Less (Rural Areas - Administered by ALDOT) $3,334,419 Only available in Small Cities and Towns and Rural Areas Any Area (Anywhere - Administered by ALDOT) $7,796,215 Available Statewide Recreational Trails Program (Administered through ADECA) $1,749,787 Available Statewide TOTAL $17,342,216
May 20, 2013 4 Federal Funding - Large Urban LARGE URBAN AREAS FY 2017 Birmingham $ 1,222,499 Phenix City/Columbus $ 99,928 Huntsville $ 467,623 Mobile $ 532,036 Montgomery $ 430,458 Lillian/Pensacola $ 10,220 TOTAL $ 2,762,764
May 20, 2013 5 State TAP Program • Due to limited funding, there is a $400,000 cap on the amount of federal funds that a sponsor can apply for • Only cities, towns, county commissions, and nonprofit organizations that are responsible for local transportation safety programs may apply for funding • Public involvement is optional • Application deadline is typically in December to ALDOT • Please contact Bob Kratzer at (334) 353-6442 if you have questions regarding this program
May 20, 2013 6 Mobile MPO TAP Program • Due to limited funding, there is a $200,000 cap on the amount of federal funds that a sponsor can apply for • Only cities, towns, and county commissions may apply for funding • Public involvement is required • Application deadline is typically in June to SARPC • Please contact SARPC’s Transportation Planning Department if you have questions regarding this program
7 What Projects are Eligible? Construction of facilities for on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities including: • Sidewalks • Bicycle infrastructure • Transportation related trails • Streetscapes (combination of sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, and landscaping) • Transportation projects to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
8 Eligible Projects (continued) • Infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility • Conversion of abandoned railroad corridor for pedestrians, bicyclists, or other non-drivers
9 Eligible Projects (continued) • Community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation activities including: • Certain vegetation management practices in transportation ROWs • Preservation of historic transportation facilities • Archeological activities relating to impacts from TAP- eligible projects • More as listed in the TAP Instructions and guidelines (p. 3) • Projects are not required to be on a Federal-aid highway
10 What Projects are Ineligible? • Routine maintenance • Safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists • Landscaping and scenic enhancements as independent projects • Historic preservation unrelated to historic transportation facilities • Transportation museums • More as listed in the TAP Instructions and guidelines (pp. 3-4)
11 What’s Required of Project Sponsor? • Project sponsor must have the fiscal, managerial, and engineering capabilities to manage a project consistent with federal and state requirements • Sponsor is responsible for developing plans, specifications, and cost estimate (Preliminary Engineering) • Project budgets should be itemized and completed by a Professional Engineer that is certified by the State of Alabama • Sponsor is responsible for compliance with the environmental review process and meeting Davis Bacon reporting requirements
12 What’s Required of Project Sponsor? • Sponsoring agency will enter into Cooperative Project Agreement with ALDOT • Work completed before execution of agreement is not reimbursable • Sponsoring agency will need to pay for all costs up front • Sponsoring agency is required to pay for all costs that exceed the award amount • Compliance with all applicable Federal and State regulations • The project sponsor is responsible for insuring that the project is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and USDOT regulations
13 What’s Required of Project Sponsor? • Project must be let to competitive bid unless prior approval is obtained from ALDOT and FHWA to use another method of construction • Construction must begin within two years from the date of execution of the project agreement. If the sponsor does not meet this requirement, then the project funds will be withdrawn and the funds will then be used for other projects • Sponsor is responsible for the maintenance of facility
May 20, 2013 16 Project Description • Identify the project eligibility • Describe the relationship to the transportation system • Describe the historical and scenic significance of the project • Describe the impact the project will have on the surrounding area • Describe proposed construction • State who owns the property • Describe the intended use of the project • State the life expectancy of the project • Maintenance Plan • Summary of public involvement meeting
17 Scoring the Applications • Project is consistent with the Mobile County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, A Complete Streets Plan, a Greenways Plan, the State Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, An ADA Transition Plan, or a plan of similar nature. • Project demonstrates a benefit to the disabled, and is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act • Is Preliminary Engineering underway or complete? • Project provides a safe route for non-drivers to access daily needs and multimodal transportation • Project supports a high density land use such as an activity center • Project benefits traditionally underserved populations • Has the sponsor shown the ability to construct projects in a timely manner • Amount of Non-DOT funds committed to match the project as compared to amount of federal TAP funding requested. • Number of project co-sponsors (Public and/or Private) in addition to primary project sponsor, making a significant contribution to project funding • Project includes facilities for both cyclists and pedestrians.
18 Contact Information Transportation Planning Department South Alabama Regional Planning Commission 110 Beauregard Street, Suite 207 Mobile, AL 36633 Telephone: 251-433-6541 FAX: 251-433-6009 Email: transportation@sarpc.org Websites: www.sarpc.org www.mobilempo.org
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