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

Governor Beshear announced the 2024 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) awards on October 10, 2024 during the Team Kentucky Press conference.

The next application cycle will be in 2025.

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

Applicants are advised to keep the following in mind when applying for funding:

This is a federal-aid program with significant requirements. Selected projects must following the KYTC Local Public Agency (LPA) Guide.
A twenty percent (20%) local match is required.
The Office of Local Programs will not increase a project award due to project cost increases.
Any Local Public Agency with an open TAP project that needs additional funding should apply for additional funds during this application cycle.
The requirements of the LPA Guide should be considered when building the project budget. Although the application does provide for a contingency amount in the budget, applicants may increase the amoutn of funding reuqested in the application to further account for inflation, time delays and other unforseen costs.
Applicants should keep in mind use of federal-aid funding on a project means the entire project must follow federal guidelines, even if part of the project is being paid using state or local funds.
Additional details on the types of projects eligible for funding are available in the F HWA Transportation Alternatives Guidance.

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.