The New Jersey Department of Transportation, in partnership with NJTPA, is accepting applications for Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program funding. Pre-application meetings are required and must be scheduled by April 11, 2025. This program provides federal funds for non-traditional transportation related projects designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental aspects of the nation’s surface transportation network. Municipal and county governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, tribal governments and other local or regional governmental entities responsible for transportation oversight are invited to submit applications.
The program makes available design assistance of up to $750,000 for consultant engineering services for grant recipients. Projects must fall into one of the following seven categories to be considered for funding:
- Design and construction of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of vehicles.
- Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized transportation users.
- Construction of scenic turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas.
- Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities both land and water such as building structures and canals.
- Community improvement activities, specifically streetscaping and corridor landscaping.
- Environmental mitigation to address stormwater management, control, and water pollution prevention or abatement related to highway construction or due to highway runoff.
- Reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality or restore and maintain connectivity among terrestrial or aquatic habitats.
Among its objectives, the program seeks to encourage walking, bicycling, and rolling as an alternative mode of transportation; make active transportation a more attractive option to get around, and provide benefits to vulnerable members of your community, including low-income residents, minorities, those with limited English proficiency, persons with disabilities, children and older adults. For more information, visit the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program page.