Transportation Alternatives Program

Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Guidelines and Application:

Federal funds are allocated under the TAP program 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, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

What is the timeline of the Call For Projects?

The next call for projects will cover fiscal years 2024 through 2026. The official notice announcing the call for projects is now open.  Draft applications are due March 24, 2023. The current call for projects is now closed.

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: any unit of local government below a State government agency, except for MPOs. Examples include city, town, or county agencies.
• Regional transportation authorities
• Transit agencies: any agency responsible for public transportation that is eligible for funds under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
• Natural resource or public land agencies: any Federal, Tribal, State, or local agency responsible for natural resources or public land administration. Examples include 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.
• School districts, local education agencies, or schools. These may include any public or nonprofit private school.
• Tribal governments
• Nonprofit organizations (Non profit organizations must apply through a local government agency or quasi governmental agency for contracting purposes)
• Metropolitan Planning Organizations: that represent an area with a population of 200,000 or under.
• Any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for oversight of transportation or recreational trails that the State determines to be eligible, consistent with the goals of subsection (c) of section 213 of title 23 or at the request of another eligible entity.
• CDOT may partner with an eligible entity project sponsor to carry out a project at the request of another eligible entity.

How will projects be evaluated?

TAP projects are selected via a competitive scoring process found in the TAP guidelines. 

How TAP funds can be combined with the Multimodal Options Fund (MMOF)

The main project type that is eligible for both TAP and MMOF is the design, planning, and construction of pedestrian or bike facilities. MMOF has different match requirements based on jurisdiction. TAP funds may be used to satisfy the match requirements of MMOF and vice versa. MMOF is a competitive grant program awarded by Transportation Planning Regions (TPRs). Contact your TPR Chair for information on TPR meetings in your region and for future MMOF project selections. 

Who should I contact?

A map of the CDOT Regions and contact information is included below. Please reach out to your CDOT Region contact for more information including project information, application requirements, and training opportunities.