Transportation Alternatives (TA) was authorized in the most recent federal transportation bill – Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act or “FAST Act”. Transportation Alternatives replaces Transportation Alternatives Program which consolidated the former Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails program.
- On and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
- Infrastructure for improving non-motorized access to public transportation Recreational trails.
- Traffic calming.
- Projects to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities.
A complete list of the types of eligible projects that may be funded with TA can be found here:
FAST Act identifies four (4) categories of eligibilities for the Transportation Alternatives:
- Transportation Alternatives
- Safe Routes to School
- Recreational Trails
- Boulevards in former Interstate System Routes
In Virginia, Transportation Alternatives, administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), focuses on Transportation Alternatives and Safe Routes to School. To be considered for this funding, a project must relate to surface transportation and qualify under one or more of the TA or Safe Routes to School activities.