Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

The federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) provides funding for surface transportation projects such as on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities, environmental mitigation and safe routes to school projects

Additional eligibility information may be found in the FHWA TAP Program Guidance.

Applying for Funding

State Funding

The most recent state TAP application cycle closed August 15, 2023. Awards were announced on October 25, 2023. A full list of the awards can be found here.

The next application cycle is tentatively scheduled for late spring 2024.

This is a federal-aid program with significant requirements. Applicants are advised to familiarize themselves with the KYTC Local Public Agency (LPA) Guide, which must be followed when implementing a federal-aid project.

This program requires a twenty percent (20%) local match. Additional details on the types of projects eligible for funding are available in the FHWA Transportation Alternatives Guidance.

Questions regarding the application process should be e-mailed to kytc.olp@ky.gov.

Application Materials:

Instructions
Application (TC 20-36)

Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Funding

Funds for areas with a population over 200,000 are suballocated to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for that area. The MPO is responsible for holding their own competitive application cycle. Once projects are selected and eligibility is determined, the projects are then administered through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The MPOs may select projects from any community within their planning boundaries, even if the community's population is less than 200,000. Please contact your MPO for questions related to the suballocated TAP funding and scheduling of application cycles.

Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Planning Authority Council of Governments (OKI) (Boone, Kenton, Campbell)

Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency (KIPDA) (Bullitt, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby)

Evansville MPO (Henderson)
Lexington Area MPO (Fayette, Jessamine, Scott)
KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission (KYOVA) (Boyd, Greenup)

Resources

FHWA TAP Website
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) website for the Transportation Alternatives Program.

FHWA Transportation Alternatives Program Guidance
FHWA Transportation Alternatives Set Aside Implementation Guidance. (March 30, 2022) This includes definitions of eligible applicants and activities under the program.

KYTC Complete Streets, Roads and Highways Manual

KYTC Tools to Develop a Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan

The KYTC Division of Planning offers assistance to communities interested in developing comprehensive bicycle/pedestrian plans. This site provides links to resources and contact information.