Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside

Formerly known as the Transportation Alternatives program, this program is a set-aside of Surface Transportation Block Grant program funds specifically for transportation alternatives. These funds can be used for a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school projects, community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, and environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity. 

Eligible projects 

The following types of projects are eligible for Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside funds, provided they relate to surface transportation: 

  • On-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and other nonmotorized forms of transportation.
  • Infrastructure-related projects and systems that provide safe routes for nondrivers — including children, older adults and individuals with disabilities — to access daily needs.
  • Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails.
  • 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 rights-of-way.
    • Archaeological activities relating to impacts from transportation projects.
  • Environmental mitigation activities.
  • Recreational trails program.
  • Safe routes to school program. 

Selection process 

The Active Transportation Programming Committee oversees TA Set-Aside funds. The committee reviews project applications and prioritizes projects that address the goals and priorities of MARC’s long-range transportation plan. The committee also considers input from MARC’s transportation modal committees including the Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC).