CDOT Region 3 Transportation Alternatives Program projects awarded

October 21, 2016 - Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - STATEWIDE - The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is pleased to announce the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) awarded projects in Region 3.

The projects selected include:

  • Minturn Main Street Pedestrian/Bicycle Planning (Intermountain Transportation Planning Region)

  • Steamboat Springs Phase II US 40 Sidewalk Connection (Northwest TPR)

  • Gunnison US 50 Crossings (Gunnison Valley TPR)

  • Fruita West Phase Kokopelli Section Riverfront Trail (Metropolitan Planning Organization)

  • West Gunnison US 50 Design Project (Gunnison Valley TPR)

The TAP program in Region 3 received thirteen competitive and strong applications. All thirteen applications that qualified, were scored independently and ranked 1-13 (1 being the best) by a four member panel. Projects were then sorted according to rank and the final ranking was ratified by the Region 3 TPR/MPO chairs.

Over the next three fiscal years (Fiscal Year 2018-2020) Region 3 is programmed to receive approximately $3,869,000 total in Federal TAP funding. This will allow the region to fund the five projects shaded in green (please see attachment), and in addition to the scheduled allotment, Region 3 may have some returning funds from previous projects, if so, funds will be re-released to help fund the project shaded in yellow. If Region 3 receives more funding, or the top ranked funded projects cannot proceed when scheduled, then those funds will be re-programmed to the next project(s) in the rank.

Federal funds are allocated under TAP to transportation improvement projects that expand travel choice, strengthen the local economy, improve quality of life and protect the environment. Many TAP projects enhance non-motorized forms of transportation like biking and walking. TAP was authorized in 2012 by federal transportation legislation, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), and is now continued under the current federal transportation legislation, Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST).

What types of projects are eligible for TAP funding?

TAP provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation; recreational trail program projects; and projects for planning, designing, or constructing boulevards and other roadways largely in the right-of-way of former Interstate System routes or other divided highways.

Who is eligible to apply?

  • Local governments;

  • Regional transportation authorities;

  • Transit agencies;

  • Natural resource or public land agencies;

  • School districts, local education agencies, or schools;

  • Tribal governments; and

  • Any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for oversight of transportation or recreational trails (other than a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or State DOT) that the State determines to be eligible