The Regional Planning Affiliation 8 (RPA 8) is now accepting applications for the RPA 8 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
Donor Name: East Central Intergovernmental Association
State: Iowa
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/07/2024
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The RPA Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is a new iteration of the former Transportation Enhancements (later Transportation Alternatives) program that has been in existence since 1991. Eligible project activities continue to include a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, and community improvements such as historic preservation, vegetation management, and some environmental mitigation related to storm water and habitat connectivity.
In the published program guidance, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has several aims for the program:
- To encourage the investment in projects that upgrade the condition of streets, highways and bridges and creates a modern transportation network safe for all users,
- To provide choice across all modes,
- To accommodate new and emerging technologies,
- To make the network sustainable and resilient, and
- To ensure the network is more equitable.
Funding Information
- Approximately $1,200,000 is available for this application cycle.
- RPA 8 TAP program awards will be made by the RPA 8 Policy Board. RPA 8 TAP awards are limited to a maximum of $250,000.
Eligibility Criteria
IIJA included a comprehensive list of entities eligible to receive TA Set-Aside funds. Neither Iowa DOT nor the MPOs or RPAs may further reduce this list and deem any category of entities as broadly ineligible; however, inclusion on this list does not guarantee funding will be awarded. Under 23 U.S.C. 133(h)(4)(A), as amended by the IIJA, the entities eligible to receive TA Set-Aside funds are:
- A local government. Local government entities include any unit of local government below a State government agency, except for an MPO representing an urbanized area with a population over 200,000. Examples include city, town, township, village, borough, parish, or county agencies.
- A regional transportation authority. Regional transportation authorities are considered the same as the Regional Transportation Planning Organizations defined in the statewide planning section (23 U.S.C. 135(m)).
- A transit agency. Transit agencies include any agency responsible for public transportation that is eligible for funds as determined by the Federal Transit Administration.
- A natural resource or public land agency. Natural resource or public land agencies include any Federal, Tribal, State, or local agency responsible for natural resources or public land administration. Examples include:
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- State or local park or forest agencies.
- State or local fish and game or wildlife agencies.
- Department of the Interior land management agencies.
- U.S. Forest Service.
- A school district, local education agency, or school. School districts, local education agencies, or schools may include any public or nonprofit private school. Projects should benefit the general public and not only a private entity.
- A Tribal government.
- A metropolitan planning organization that serves an urbanized area with a population of 200,000 or fewer. MPOs representing urbanized areas over 200,000 population are not eligible entities.
- A nonprofit entity. The BIL removed the requirement that the nonprofit entity be responsible for the administration of local transportation safety programs.
- Any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for or oversight of transportation or recreational trails (other than a metropolitan planning organization that serves an urbanized area with a population of over 200,000 or a State agency) that the State determines to be eligible, consistent with the goals of 23 U.S.C. 133(h).
For more information, visit ECIA.
