Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) 2013 Workshop for project funding in 2017 and 2018
Introductions Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) program Administered by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) MnDOT District 4 staff: Jane Butzer District Program Coordinator Bridget Miller District Planning Director Merle Early State Aid Manager MnDOT District 8 staff: Jarrett Hubbard District Planner Patrick Weidemann District Planning Director Todd Broadwell Acting State Aid Engineer Stu Peterson State Aid Engineer
Introductions TE program continued... Local planning assistance provided by Regional Development Organizations (RDO) and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) Lindsey Knutson Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (UMVRDC)
Agenda Overview TAP Overview Overview of the Local Process Application Requirements Q & A
TAP Overview
TAP Overview TAP is a program of the Federal Highway Administration The 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] safe routes to school projects FHWA web site
TAP Overview Funded through Federal transportation bill (MAP-21) Significant Changes From SAFETEA-LU Program Consolidation Funding Reduction 80-20 funding split for ALL projects, including SRTS
TAP Overview
TAP Overview $30.0 TAP Funding Reduction $25.0 $20.0 $15.0 $10.0 $5.0 $- $27.69 Past Federal Investment $15.04 MAP-21 Distribution
TAP Overview District 4 and 8 funding levels for TE were similar to new TAP funding levels HOWEVER... this now includes the former TE Program, SRTS and Scenic Byways Overall funding decrease of approximately 40%
TAP Overview Eligible Activities Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities Safe Routes for Non-Drivers Conversion of Abandoned Railway Corridors to Trails Scenic Turnouts and Overlooks
TAP Overview Eligible Activities continued... Community Improvement Activities Outdoor Advertising Management Historic Preservation & Rehab of Historic Transportation Facilities Vegetation Management Archaeological Activities Environmental Mitigation Activities Stormwater Mitigation Wildlife Management
On-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation Transportation projects to achieve Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 compliance Safe routes for non-drivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities to access daily needs. Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors
Construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas Inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities Archaeological activities
Vegetation management to improve roadway safety Vegetation management to provide erosion control Reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality or restore/maintain habitat connectivity Environmental mitigation to address storm water management
Recreational trails program (DNR) Safe Routes to School
Transportation activities no longer eligible for TAP funding: Scenic easements Transportation museums Visitor centers Marketing and marketing plans Interpretive plans Scenic Byway corridor management plans Bicycling and pedestrian safety and education programs for adults Adult safety and education programs are eligible under the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and the Surface Transportation Program (STP)
TAP Overview Relationship to Surface Transportation is REQUIRED for all projects The TAP project sponsor must illustrate the project's relationship to surface transportation in the project proposal. NTAC web site Bear in mind that the [state] DOT can impose guidelines on project eligibility more restrictive than those put forth by the FHWA. NTAC web site Eligibility does not necessarily equate to priority
TAP Overview Applying for funding is a lengthy and timeconsuming but worthwhile process Need to make sure you have a local champion to see the project through to completion Also need broad support from a variety of individuals and groups in your community Local match is required for all projects Engineering and Right-of-Way are not eligible Finding local match funding can be challenging
Overview of the Local Process
Overview of the Local Process MnDOT Administers Program in Minnesota Project ranking is done at the MnDOT District level Funds are distributed by MnDOT at the State level District 4 TAP allocation is ~$600,000 in 2017 and 2018, and District 8 ATP allocation is ~$300,000 in those years RDOs/MPOs assist with application process
Timeline October 3, 2013 TAP project solicitation announcement October 28, 2013 RDC Workshop/Forum October-November 2013 Consultation with RDO/MPO and field reviews conducted November 15, 2013 Letter of Intent deadline Feb. 1, 2014 Full grant application deadline February-March 2014 - Application review and applicant presentations(?) to TAP Subcommittee April 15, 2014 TAP award recipients announced Fall 2014 Final STIP is approved
Consultation with Local Planners Discuss your project with local planner at your RDO/MPO Your local planner will: help you determine project eligibility provide guidance on developing a competitive application ensure that your application is complete Schedule field review of project prior to completion of application Better to schedule early before the snow flies Project field reviews are not required, but are Highly Recommended Discuss your project with your local planner EARLY and OFTEN
Application Requirements
Application Requirements Section 1: General Information Section 2: Project Budget Section 3: Sponsoring Agency Resolution Section 4: Resolution Agreeing to Maintain Facility Section 5: ATP Project Evaluation Section 6: Application Checklist
Section 1: General Information Project Name Project Location Brief Project Description Sponsoring Agency Project Applicant Contact Person Signatures
Section 2: Project Budget Project Budget Page Should be fairly detailed It is recommended that you work with your local engineer to develop the budget Eligible Work/Construction Items Non eligible Items Engineering and Right-of-Way costs are NOT eligible for TAP funding Project award minimum of $50,000 for D8, recommended minimum of $100,000 for D4
Sections 3 & 4: Resolutions Section 3: Sponsoring Agency Resolution County or State-Aid City (pop. 5000+) Section 4: Resolution Agreeing to Maintain Facility County or State-Aid City (pop. 5000+) If applicant is not a county or state aid city, they can still include above resolution(s) Not required, but recommended
Section 5: ATP Project Evaluation The information provided in this section is what the TAP review committee will use to judge how your project ranks against other applications This is where you should make your case that your project should be funded More detailed answers should be provided in this section Staying within the stated application limits
Section 5: ATP Project Evaluation District 4: 1. Project relationship in a larger context 2. Project Impact or Benefit 3. The project funding and schedule must be realistic and achievable 4. Physical Design District 8: 1. Project description and overview 2. Planning and community context 3. Serves a transportation purpose 4. Ensure project deliverability Additional Points
Section 6: Application Checklist
Additional Information There is additional information included in the application materials, including... Detailed info on the eligible activities Contact information for Local Planners and MnDOT contacts Federal Program Requirements ADA Requirements, Anti-Discrimination Laws, Davis- Bacon & Copeland Acts
More info online MnDOT TAP: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/map-21/tap.html FHWA TAP: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/tap.cfm NTAP Clearinghouse (archive): http://www.enhancements.org/index
Questions??? Thanks for your attention! We can now spend some time answering your questions. For future questions, contact Lindsey Knutson at lindsey.knutson@umvrdc.org or 320.289.1981 x7.