New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced that applications are now available for $50 million in federal funding for a variety of alternative transportation projects, including the construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Projects should grow local economies and create jobs, while also contributing to cleaner and more resilient communities.

The Transportation Alternatives Program projects will be selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated on established criteria that include environmental enhancement to and for the transportation system; connectivity to an existing transportation system; encouragement of smart growth; impact on local or regional economies; availability of matching funds; and level of community support.

Eligible project activities include:

• On-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation;
• Infrastructure-related projects and systems that will provide safe routes for non-drivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities, to access daily needs;
• Community improvement activities, including improving roadway safety in transportation rights-of-way and erosion control; and
• Environmental mitigation activity, including pollution prevention and abatement activities and highway storm water drainage control to prevent flooding.

The funding for these projects is provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and administered by NYSDOT. Up to 80 percent of the proposed project costs will be provided to successful applicants. Project sponsors are responsible for securing the remaining project funding.

NYSDOT will provide technical assistance and required training for potential applicants through a series of workshops statewide. The workshops will address information about this new funding opportunity, an explanation of application requisites and detail the requirements needed to ensure all federally-aided projects are developed, designed and constructed in accordance with federal requirements.

The tentative deadline for applications is June 11. Additional information about the program, including the application and guidebook; technical assistance and regional workshops; and federal project requirements are available at https://www.dot.ny.gov/tap.