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Investing in Safe Active Transportation

Transportation Alternatives Program

Metroplan helps bring federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds to Central Arkansas. Each year, the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) provides TAP funding to Metropolitan Planning Organizations like Metroplan. We then distribute those dollars to eligible cities and counties in our region—supporting projects that improve safety, accessibility, and quality of life.

Summary of Funded Projects
Pedestrians on a trail about to cross a street
Pedestrians crossing the street at a crosswalk

Program Overview

Metroplan typically awards up to $200,000 for construction projects in mid- and large-sized cities, and up to $100,000 for cities with populations under 10,000. A 20% local cash match is required for all Metroplan-funded TAP projects.

TAP funds are intended for smaller-scale transportation projects that improve mobility, safety, and quality of life. Eligible projects include:

  • Construction of pedestrian and bicycle facilities
  • Safe Routes to School infrastructure
  • On-road and off-road trail facilities for non-motorized users
  • Projects improving access for children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities
  • In some cases, engineering costs for small cities

Eligible entities in Central Arkansas can apply for TAP funds from two sources: ARDOT and Metroplan.

The tables below outline both programs.

ARDOT Metroplan
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)
Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
Eligible Communities Statewide Metroplan member jurisdictions
Frequency Once per year (late Spring)
Awards announced in the Fall		 Once per year (Fall)
Awards announced late Winter
Award Range $20,000 – $500,000 $200,000 max (mid- and large-size cities)
$100,000 max (small cities 10k & under)
Match 20% match required – typically cash.
In-kind match permitted for RTP projects and TAP projects that are RTP eligible 		20% cash match required
Eligible Uses of Funding
Preliminary Engineering, including Environmental Clearance Activities Not currently. Eligible uses of funding will be reviewed prior to the call for projects
Project Design and Engineering For new TAP and RTP Projects, Sponsors may be permitted to use ARDOT’s On-Call Consultant services for non-construction phases awarded Federal funding Yes, for small cities only. Highly recommended to use Metroplan’s on-call consultants. Cities must pay 20% of estimated engineering cost upfront to Metroplan
Right of Way Acquisition Not currently. Eligible uses of funding will be reviewed prior to the call for projects
Utility Relocation Not currently. Eligible uses of funding will be reviewed prior to the call for projects
Construction of on-road and off-road facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation
Construction Inspection
Contact Local Programs Division
LocalPrograms@ardot.gov, (479) 360-7161 		Daniel Holland
dholland@metroplan.org, (501) 372-3300

Program Summaries

ARDOT TAP Program

Program Webpage
  • Covers both the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
  • Available to communities statewide
  • Award range: $20,000-$500,000 for construction projects
  • Call for projects once per year
  • 20% local match required.
    • In-kind match permitted for RTP projects as well as TAP projects that are RTP eligible. Local match for other TAP projects must be in the form of cash.
    • Administration fee equal to 1% of the Federal Award amount will be required from all sponsors.
Funding can be used for:
  • Preliminary Engineering, including Environmental Clearance Activities, Right of Way acquisition and Utility Relocation, Construction, and Construction Inspection.
  • Construction of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation.
  • Infrastructure-related projects and systems that will provide safe routes for non-drivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities to access daily needs.
  • For new TAP and RTP Projects, Sponsors may be permitted to use ARDOT’s On-Call Consultant services for non-construction phases awarded Federal funding.

 

Metroplan TAP Program

  • Covers the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) only
  • Available to Metroplan member jurisdictions
  • Award maximums for construction projects:
    • $200,000 for mid- and large-sized cities
    • $100,000 for small cities (10,000 residents and fewer)
  • Call for projects once per year
  • 20% local match required
    • Must be a cash match. No in-kind match allowed.
  • Funding can be used for:
    • Engineering (small cities only). Highly recommend using Metroplan’s on-call consultants to protect project timeline
    • Cities utilizing this option must pay 20% of estimated engineering cost upfront to Metroplan
  • Construction of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation
  • Infrastructure-related projects and systems that will provide safe routes for non-drivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities to access daily needs
    • Note: Eligible uses of funding will be reviewed prior to the call for projects