Active Transportation Funding Sources

The NHPP provides support for the condition and performance of the National Highway System (NHS), for the construction of new facilities on the NHS, and to ensure that investments of Federal-aid funds in highway construction are directed to support progress toward the achievement of performance targets established in a State's asset management plan for the NHS.

Contact: Vishu Lingala (H-GAC) 713-993-4561 [email protected]

The Surface Transportation Block Grant program (STBG) provides flexible funding that may be used by States and localities for projects to preserve and improve the conditions and performance on any Federal-aid highway, bridge and tunnel projects on any public road, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and transit capital projects, including intercity bus terminals.

Contact: Ana Ramirez-Huerta (TxDOT) [email protected]
Vishu Lingala (H-GAC) 713-993-4561 [email protected]

Available through 2021 since the FAST Act removed the transportation alternatives (TA) program and moved it as a set-aside of Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program funding for transportation alternatives (TA).

Contact: Ana Ramirez-Huerta (TxDOT) [email protected]
Vishu Lingala (H-GAC) 713-993-4561 [email protected]

The State Planning and Research Program funds States' statewide planning and research activities. The funds are used to establish a cooperative, continuous, and comprehensive framework for making transportation investment decisions and to carryout transportation research activities throughout the State.

The FAST Act expands the statewide transportation planning process’ scope of consideration to include projects, strategies, and services that will—
• Improve transportation system resiliency and reliability;
• Reduce (or mitigate) the stormwater impacts of surface transportation; and
• Enhance travel and tourism. [23 U.S.C. 135(d)(1)(I) & (J)]

Note: TxDOT specific funding is only available to TxDOT District sponsors. As such, other partners would need to partner with their local TxDOT District.

Contact: TxDOT Planning and Programming
Vishu Lingala (H-GAC) 713-993-4561 [email protected]

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national program that encourages walking and biking to school for grades K-8 through funding infrastructure improvements, enforcements, tools, safety education, and other incentives.

Ana Ramirez-Huerta (TxDOT) [email protected]

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) improvement program provides funds to States for transportation projects designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, particularly in areas of the country that do not attain national air quality standards.

Vishu Lingala (H-GAC) 713-993-4561 [email protected]

Funding focused on finding first mile/last mile implementation solutions.

Contact: Alan Rodenstein (H-GAC) 713-993-2407 [email protected]

The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program provides funding to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure and other alternative fueling infrastructure.

This grant program has two tracks:

• Community Charging and Alternative Fueling Grants (Community Program): To install electric vehicle charging and alternative fuel in locations on public roads, schools, parks, and in publicly accessible parking facilities.
• Charging and Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants (Corridor Program): To deploy electric vehicle charging and hydrogen/propane/natural gas fueling infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors.

Community Program grants will prioritize rural areas as well as low- and moderate-income neighborhoods with low ratios of private parking or high ratios of multiunit dwellings.

Contact: [email protected]

The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) aims to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious accidents through the implementation of infrastructure-related highway safety improvements on all public roads, including non-State-owned roads and roads on tribal land.

Contact: Ugonna Ughanze (TxDOT) 713-802-5171 [email protected]

INFRA discretionary grants support the Administration’s commitment to fixing our nation’s infrastructure by creating opportunities for all levels of government and the private sector to fund infrastructure, using innovative approaches to improve the processes for building significant projects, and increasing accountability for the projects that are built. In addition to providing direct federal funding, the INFRA discretionary grant program aims to increase the total investment by state, local, and private partners.

Note: Active transportation projects are generally a component of a larger project for this source.

Contact: Paul Baumer (USDOT) 202-366-1092
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy (USDOT) 202-366-4544

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grant program, provides a unique opportunity for the DOT to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives. Previously known as Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER Discretionary Grants, Congress has dedicated nearly $7.9 billion for eleven rounds of National Infrastructure Investments to fund projects that have a significant local or regional impact.

Contact: Office of the Secretary of Transportation - Office of Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (USDOT) 202-366-0301 [email protected]

Funds light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail, streetcar, and bus rapid transit projects.

Note: Active transportation projects are generally a component rather than stand alone projects.

FTA Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants ("New Starts") (5309)

Note: Active transportation projects are usually a component of the larger project under this funding source.

• Total project cost is equal to or greater than $300 million or total New Starts funding sought equals or exceeds $100 million
• New fixed guideway system (light rail, commuter rail etc.)
• Extension to existing system
• Fixed guideway BRT system
11/18/20

Contact: Albert Lyne (METRO) 713-739-4697 [email protected]

FTA Small Starts Program For Small Starts projects, the law requires completion of one phase in advance of receipt of a construction grant agreement – Project Development.

• Total project cost is less than $300 million and total Small Starts funding sought is less than $100 million
• New fixed guideway systems (light rail, commuter rail etc.)
• Extension to existing system
• Fixed guideway BRT system
• Corridor-based BRT system

Contact: Albert Lyne (METRO) 713-739-4697 [email protected]

FTA Urbanized Area Formula Grants (5307)

The Urbanized Area Formula Funding program (49 U.S.C. 5307) makes federal resources available to urbanized areas and to governors for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas and for transportation-related planning.

Note: Need a project sponsor from a transit agency.

Contact: Albert Lyne (METRO) 713-739-4697 [email protected]

Provides funding to states and transit agencies through a statutory formula to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities.

Note: Requires a project sponsor from a transit agency.

Contact: Albert Lyne (METRO) 713-739-4697 [email protected]

This program (49 U.S.C. 5310) provides formula funding to states for the purpose of assisting private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs.

Contact: Albert Lyne (METRO) 713-739-4697 [email protected]

The SGIA program started with annual, competitive solicitations open to state, local, regional, and tribal governments (and nonprofits that partnered with a governmental entity) that wanted to incorporate smart growth techniques into their future development. Beginning in 2015, EPA is working with regional staff to identify and select communities rather than issue a Request for Letters of Interest.

Contact: Hamilton Luctrician (Office of Policy) 202-566-2878 [email protected]

RTP annually funds recreational trails, including bicycle and pedestrian paths. TPWD administers the National Recreational Trails Fund in Texas under the approval of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This federally funded program receives its funding from a portion of federal gas taxes paid on fuel used in non-highway recreational vehicles. The reimbursable grants can be up to 80% of project cost with a maximum of $200,000 for non-motorized trail grants and a maximum award of $400,000 for motorized (off-highway vehicle) trail grants (call 512-538-4427 for more information regarding potential motorized trail grants). Funds can be spent on both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects such as the construction of new recreational trails, to improve existing trails, to develop trailheads or trailside facilities, and to acquire trail corridors.

Contact: Trey Cooksey (TPWD) Phone 512-389-8743 [email protected]

States receive individual allocations of LWCF grant funds based upon a national formula, with state population being the most influential factor. States initiate a statewide competition for the amount available annually. The State Side of the LWCF provides matching grants to States and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.

Contact:
Joel Lynch (NPS) 202-354-6905
Dana Lagarde (TPWD) 512-389-8175
Roxane Eley (TPWD) 512-389-8109

The CDBG entitlement program allocates annual grants to larger cities and urban counties to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and opportunities to expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate- income persons. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities are eligible uses of these funds.

Contact: Stacia L. Johnson (HUD) 713-718-3279

The Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program is the community assistance arm of the National Park Service. RTCA provides technical assistance to communities in order to preserve open space and develop trails.

Contact: Ericka Pilcher (NPS) [email protected]

Contact: Matt DeLeon (TxDOT) [email protected]

Contact: Matt DeLeon (TxDOT) [email protected]

This program funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.

Note: Active transportation projects most likely will be a component of a larger project.

Contact: Ms. Frances Bourne (FRA Office of Policy and Planning) 202-493-6366 [email protected]

Who can apply:
PeopleForBikes accepts grant applications from non-profit organizations with a focus on bicycling, active transportation, or community development, from city or county agencies or departments, and from state or federal agencies working locally. PeopleForBikes only funds projects in the United States. Requests must support a specific project or program; we do not grant funds for general operating costs.

What is funded:
PeopleForBikes focuses most grant funds on bicycle infrastructure projects such as:

• Bike paths, lanes, trails, and bridges
• Mountain bike facilities
• Bike parks and pump tracks
• BMX facilities
• End-of-trip facilities such as bike racks, bike parking, bike repair stations and bike storage

They also fund some advocacy projects, such as:

• Programs that transform city streets, such as Ciclovías or Open Streets Days
• Campaigns to increase the investment in bicycle infrastructure

PeopleForBikes will fund engineering and design work, construction costs including materials, labor, and equipment rental, and reasonable volunteer support costs. For advocacy projects, they will fund staffing directly related to accomplishing the initiative's goals. PeopleForBikes accepts requests for funding of up to $10,000. They do not require a specific percentage match, but we do look at leverage and funding partnerships very carefully. They will not consider grant requests in which the grant funding would amount to 50% or more of the project budget.

PeopleForBikes DOES NOT FUND:

• Feasibility studies, master plans, policy documents, or litigation
• Signs, maps, and travel
• Trailheads, information kiosks, benches, and restroom facilities
• Parking lots for motorized vehicles
• Bicycles, helmets, tools, and other accessories or equipment
• Events, races, clinics/classes, or bicycle rodeos
• Bike recycling, repair, or earn-a-bike programs
• Education programs
• General operating costs
• Staff salaries, except where used to support a specific advocacy initiative
• Rides and event sponsorships
• Planning and retreats
• Projects in which PeopleForBikes is the sole or primary funder
• Projects outside the U.S.

Schedules and Deadlines

PeopleForBikes generally holds 1-2 open grant cycles every year. In an effort to green our grants process, we have moved to an online grant application system.

Any project eligible for Federal assistance through existing surface transportation programs (highway projects and transit capital projects) is eligible for the TIFIA credit program.

Contact: USDOT Email: [email protected] Phone: 202-366-2300
TxDOT Central Office Benjamin H. Asher 512-463-8611

State Infrastructure Banks (SIB) were authorized in 1995 as a part of the National Highway Designation Act (NHS) to help accelerate needed mobility improvements through a variety of financial assistance options made to local entities through state transportation departments.

Contact: TxDOT Project Finance, Debt and Strategic Contracts Division - State Infrastructure Bank (SIB)
512-463-9958