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​Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside

The federal Transpo​rtation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) provides funding for projects and activities defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation, trails that serve a transportation purpose, and safe routes to school projects.​

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), continues to fund the TA Set-Aside through 2026.  The federal guidance is available on the Federal Highway Administration website.​

TASA Awards

The 2023/2024 TASA application round is now closed, and awarded projects are listed below.  The next application window will be posted here once announced.​​

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Project Costs

    • The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside is not a grant program and no money is provided upfront.
    • Projects are funded at 100% of the construction cost (including construction inspection).
        • No applicant match is required.
        • Project sponsors must pay for project design, pre-construction permits, clearances, etc.
    • There is a minimum award of $50,000 for construction projects.
    • There is a maximum award of $1,500,000, although higher awards can be justified for "exceptional" projects.

Technical Assistance Program

PennDOT will soon offer technical assistance for TASA awarded projects in underserved or transportation disadvantaged areas.  Details and instructions to request assistance will be posted here once available.

Required Coordination

    • Project sponsors must meet with their Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or Rural Planning Organization (RPO) staff to discuss their project application.
    • Project sponsors must meet with PennDOT Engineering District staff to discuss their project, PennDOT policies, and regulations.

Project Sponsors

Project sponsors may include the following:

    • local governments;
    • regional transportation authorities;
    • transit agencies;
    • natural resource or public land agencies, including Federal agencies;
    • school districts, local education agencies, or schools;
    • tribal governments;
    • an MPO that represents an area with a population of 200,000 or fewer;
    • any nonprofit entity;
    • a state, at the request of another eligible entity; and
    • any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for oversight of transportation or recreational trails (other than a metropolitan planning organization or a State agency) that the State determines to be eligible, consistent with the goals of subsection (c) of section 213 of title 23.

Project sponsors should select consultants that have demonstrated experience in the design and timely delivery of Safe Routes to School, Transportation Alternatives Program, or Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside projects.

Projects

Eligible projects may include the following:

    • bicycle and pedestrian facilities;
    • bicycle and pedestrian education (grades K-12);
    • conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails;
    • construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas;
    • outdoor advertising management;
    • historic preservation and rehab of historic transportation facilities;
    • vegetation management;
    • archaeological activities;
    • vulnerable road user safety assessment activities;
    • stormwater management; and
    • wildlife mortality mitigation.

Projects in areas designated as PA Byways, within DCNR Heritage Areas, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or affiliated with the National Park Service may be eligible under the construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas.

Large MPO Competitive Selection Documents

Questions

If you have any questions related to eligibility, the application process, or other funding considerations, please email PennDOT's TA Set-Aside Program Office, 717-775-3276. You may also contact Justin Cambric, TA Set-Aside Coordinator, at 717-705-1532.​​​​