Transportation Alternatives Program Funding Available The South Dakota Department of Transportation says Letters of Intent are now being accepted for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). The TAP is a grant program that uses federal transportation funds, designated by Congress, for specific activities that enhance the intermodal transportation system and provide safe alternative transportation options. The TAP was authorized by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), signed into law on July 6, 2012. The TAP builds upon the legacy of the former Transportation Enhancement, Safe Routes to School and Scenic Byways programs by expanding travel choices, strengthening the local economy, improving the quality of life and protecting the environment. Approximately $2.1 million is available through this competitive grant process administered by the South Department of Transportation (SDDOT) office of Project Development. Each grant will be for a maximum amount of $400,000, although the SDDOT may approve a larger amount for phased projects. The minimum grant amount for infrastructure projects is $50,000 with no set minimum grant amount for non-infrastructure projects. There is an 18.05 percent local match requirement for each project. A full description of the TAP, along with the necessary forms, is available on the SDDOT Transportation Alternatives Program webpage at: http://www.sddot.com/ services/transalt. The submittal of a Letter of Intent form, found on the webpage, is a mandatory requirement in order to be eligible to submit a full application for funding and must be submitted by the deadline of July 15, 2016.
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This will be the only call for Letters of Intent for the 2016 Fiscal Year. Requests for additional information, site visits and/or meetings on potential projects should be directed to Jerry Ortbahn by phone at 605-773-3281 or by email at jerry.ortbahn@state.sd.us. Following the receipt of the Letters of Intent, on-site meetings with project sponsors will be scheduled prior to September 15, 2016. The deadline for full applications is September 30, 2016. Eligible Activities A variety of activities are eligible for TAP funding. Eligible projects must meet one or more of these activities and must relate to surface transportation. There is no requirement for TAP projects to be located along Federalaid highways. Eligible activities under TAP consist of: A. Facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation. This eligible activity includes the planning, design and construction of on-road or off-road facilities. Projects may include, but are not limited to, sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, traffic calming techniques, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure, as well as transportation projects to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Off road sidewalks, bike paths and other pathways in this category are meant to serve as a safe transportation route, connecting two logical destinations and are usually a minimum of 10 feet wide. B. Safe routes for non-drivers. This eligible activity includes the planning, design and construction of infrastructure-related projects and systems that will
SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES
