-By Matt Ludwig, PE, AICP, WEDG
The recent signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has generated tremendous excitement about an increased investment in our roads, bridges, passenger rail, and airports. And rightfully so! But many people may be wondering, especially those involved in municipal and county governments, how the BIL can help advance active transportation projects. There are many opportunities to fund projects like trails and greenways, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, complete streets, and Vision Zero enhancements at the local level. Here are several highlights:
- The BIL increased funding to traditional formula programs like the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ). Applications for these programs will continue through local MPOs and state DOTs as they have in the past.
- In addition to the traditional formula programs, the BIL includes new funding programs such as the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program and the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program. These two programs alone represent $6 billion in new spending over the next five years.
- One of the major USDOT discretionary grant programs, Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE), has increased its yearly funding from $1 billion to $1.5 billion. In 2021, the Administration dramatically increased funding for complete streets, livable communities, and trail/greenway projects. We expect that the funding increases for these project types will continue.
The aim of some of the discretionary grant programs are to bring transformative projects to local communities that are otherwise difficult to fund locally or through traditional TASA or CMAQ-type funding levels. Think about projects that are in the $5 million and above range. While the criteria for some of the new discretionary programs have yet to be announced, we know from the recent 2022 RAISE Grant funding announcement that USDOT is putting a strong emphasis on projects that promote climate change resilience or mitigation, transportation equity, and investing in underserved areas. Because of the highly competitive nature of these programs, we recommend that communities lay out a clearly defined strategy for grant applications for planning, design, and construction of active transportation projects. Here are just a few things to consider when developing that strategy:
1. Put together a thorough and inclusive public participation plan at the earliest planning stages. USDOT wants to see that stakeholders were actively engaged and that diverse voices provided input to the project during its planning and design phases. The project plan should detail how the applicant will engage with, receive input, and maintain contact with traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities.
2. Prior to assembling a grant application for design or construction costs, a concise master plan, concept plan, and/or feasibility study should detail the project purpose and need, property impacts, cost estimates, required permits, and data-driven safety benefits. The planning document should also discuss how historical transportation or land use decisions positively or negatively affect disadvantaged communities today.
3. Develop a clear, realistic, but aggressive timeline for planning, design, and construction phases. Because of the federal nature of the funding, there should be sufficient time for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews and coordination with your state DOT and permitting agencies during the design phase.
4. Leverage local and regional partnerships and consider grouping multiple projects together under one grant. Look at how your individual project could be made stronger by developing other portions of the trail or complete streets network, even if they are in a neighboring community. A built-out network of improvements can mean a higher return on investment in the grant’s Benefit Cost Analysis than a single piece can. Smaller communities could also consider teaming with their respective county government to make a stronger application.
While this year’s RAISE Grant applications are open through April 14, 2022, there will be many other types of opportunities forthcoming over the next several years, each with their own specific eligibility requirements and criteria. Communities of all sizes and locations are eligible for grants.
If you are unsure if your active transportation project will qualify for one of the various grant programs coming out of the BIL, or if your organization does not have the capacity to take on the planning process or grant application please reach out! NV5 has assisted many communities with federal grant applications and our dedicated active transportation planning and design staff is well-versed in the nuances of the process.
Matt Ludwig, PE, AICP, WEDG is a Senior Active Transportation Planner & Engineer with NV5 and specializes in projects ranging from trails and greenways, bicycle lanes, complete streets, urban bicycling and pedestrian networks, and first/last mile solutions.
Use the form below to reach out to NV5 with your active transportation vision: