Transportation Alternatives (TA)

Transportation Alternatives (TA)

Transportation Alternatives Program Applications Deadline December 29, 2023

TA provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives. They include pedestrian and bicycle facilities, Safe Routes to School projects, safe routes for non-drivers, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation projects.

If you’re interested in sharing your thoughts on the future of transportation in ND, visit the Transportation Connection web page here: http://www.dot.nd.gov/projects/lrtp/

Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects:

• The construction of on-street and off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• The construction of Safe Routes to School projects
• The construction of projects for non-drivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities
• Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, or other non-motorized transportation users
• Traffic calming and speed reduction improvements
• Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements
• Secure bicycle parking facilities
• Traffic diversion improvements in the vicinity of schools

Scenic and Environmental Projects:

• Turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas
• Vegetation management practices in transportation rights-of-way
• Archaeological activities relating to impacts from implementation of a transportation project
• Streetscape improvements and corridor landscaping
• Establishing living snow-fences
• Control and removal of outdoor advertising
• Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity

Historic Projects:

• Historic preservation and rehabilitation of operating historic transportation facilities

Transportation Alternatives (TA) Project Selection Criteria

To be eligible for the TA program, the proposed project must relate to surface transportation. For clarification on the eligibility of your project contact:
Local Government Division
North Dakota Department of Transportation
Phone: (701) 328 4787
TTY: 1-800-366-6888
Email: Transportation Alternatives Manager

Project Selection Criteria

• Benefit to the community, region and/or state
• Benefits provided to the existing transportation system
• Does the project provide a high impact or benefit as compared to the other projects?
• Is the proposed project the appropriate solution for the identified problem, need or opportunity?
• Has the applicant demonstrated support of other local governmental agencies and/or nonprofit organizations, and/or the general public?
• Urgency - Is the project part of another project?
• Is the project part of an identified plan?
• Does the project benefit a large segment of the population or a "transportation disadvantaged" segment such as children, elderly, low income, or disabled?
• Potential of proposal to reduce child injuries and fatalities - addresses safety concerns
• Potential of proposal to create a safer walking and bicycling environment
• Potential of proposal to encourage walking and bicycling for non-drivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities
• Reduces traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools
• Identification of current and potential safe walking and bicycling routes to schools

Transportation Alternatives (TA) Project Selection Committee

The Director of NDDOT has established the TA Project Selection Committee for selecting Transportation Alternatives projects. TA funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive process that is reviewed by the TA Project Selection Committee.

This seven-member group consists of representatives from:

• North Dakota League of Cities
• North Dakota Association of Counties
• North Dakota Parks & Recreation
• North Dakota Department of Commerce
• North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission
• North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
• North Dakota Department of Transportation

Transportation Alternatives (TA) Funding

Funding Information

The amount of funding a project receives will be determined from the cost estimate included with the project application. Only the contract construction cost of your project is eligible for funding. These costs will be funded with federal aid to a maximum of 80.93%. The project sponsor must provide the match of 19.07%.

Items not eligible for funding are preliminary and construction engineering, environmental impact mitigation, right of way acquisition, utilities, and construction items determined to be not eligible for federal aid. These costs are a 100% sponsor responsibility.

The maximum award for Urban ($290,000) and Rural ($200,000) projects has been removed, there is no longer a capped amount.

Transportation Alternatives (TA): How to Apply

Applications

To apply for a TA project use the TA Application Instructions for FY 2026. Please contact Local Government by one of the methods listed below.

• 2026 TA Program Letter

Transportation Alternatives Program Applications Deadline December 29, 2023

TA provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives. They include pedestrian and bicycle facilities; safe routes to school projects; safe routes for non-drivers; community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation projects.

Local Government Division
North Dakota Department of Transportation
608 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0700
Phone: (701) 328- 4787
TTY: 1-800-366-6888
Email: Transportation Alternatives Manager

The information requested on the application will be used for two purposes. Initially the application will be used to determine eligibility. If the project is eligible, the application will then be used in the project selection process and awarding of funds.

Eligible Project Applicants

• City and County governments
• Transit agencies
• Natural resource or public land agencies
• School districts, local education agencies, or schools
• Tribal governments
• Any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for or oversight of transportation or recreational trails.

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit Organizations must partner with an eligible project applicant.

Project applications must be submitted to the NDDOT through one of the following entities:

• All Cities
• Board of County Commissioners
• Tribal Government
• Transit Agencies
• MPO that serves an urban area with a population of 200,000 or fewer  
• Federal and State Agencies

All other eligible applicants including school districts and park districts need to partner with their respective city. All projects within the jurisdiction of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) need to be submitted to the MPO by their respective deadline for MPO approval and submittal to the NDDOT.

MPO Coordination

Projects in or near Grand Forks and Bismarck/Mandan metro areas must be submitted to the local MPO, with the MPO making submittal to NDDOT. If you are unsure if your project is within the MPO jurisdiction, contact the MPO office in your area. MPO contact information is as follows:

Projects in MPO jurisdictions must be submitted to the MPO’s and their submittal dates are as follows:

• Bismarck - Mandan: October 20, 2023
• Grand Forks/East Grand Forks MPO: November 29, 2023

Bismarck-Mandan MPO

221 North 5th Street Bismarck, ND 58506
701-355-1848

Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MPO

P.O. Box 5200 Grand Forks, ND 58206-5200
701-746-2657

TMA – Fargo, West Fargo, and Horace

Transportation Alternative projects within the designated urbanized area of Fargo, West Fargo and Horace are considered TMA projects and must be coordinated with the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG). The TA solicitation for the Fargo area TMA is conducted by Metro COG. For more information about this solicitation or if you are unsure if your project is within Metro COG’s planning area, please contact Metro COG using the following contact information:

Fargo - Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG)
1 - 2nd Street North
Case Plaza, Suite 232
Fargo, ND 58102-4807
701-532-5100

Recipient Responsibilities

Environmental Clearances

If your project is selected, you will be responsible for obtaining the necessary environmental clearances. This will involve the preparation of an Environmental Document, which will include, but is not limited to, a thorough discussion of the need for the project, what the project entails, geometric design description, environmental impacts and coordination with local, state and federal agencies.

Plan Preparation

You are responsible for preparing the projects plans and specifications. When your plans and specifications are complete, NDDOT will request the Federal Highway Administration to authorize spending the TA funds.

Treatment of Projects

Projects must be ready for construction during the 2026 construction season. Therefore, final plans, permits, certifications, etc. need to be completed and submitted by January 1, 2026 and will be scheduled to be bid in the spring of 2026. Federal funds may be lost if the project cannot be bid in the spring of 2026.

Special Provisions

ADA:

Facilities must be designed to reasonably meet the needs of persons with disabilities. In so doing, the participant must comply with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additional Information is available at the U.S. Dept. of Justice.

Title 23:

All infrastructure projects need to comply with applicable provisions in Title 23, such as project agreements, authorization to proceed prior to incurring costs, etc. In addition, infrastructure projects must comply with Davis Bacon prevailing wage rates, competitive bidding, and other contracting requirements, even for projects not located within the right-of-way of a federal-aid highway.

As part of the Title 23 requirements, all projects must also comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. Most infrastructure projects will likely fall under the categorical exclusions provisions of Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations Section 771.117 that recognize construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths, and facilities as not involving significant environmental impacts.

TIP / STIP:

All projects funded within a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) must be programmed in a metropolitan planning organization’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

Applicants are responsible for any and all local permits relevant to their project. Please work with your appropriate partners to determine necessary permits.

Recent Former TE and SRTS Projects

Recent Projects

Resources

Additional TA Information

• Transportation Alternatives (TA)
• Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities
• Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
• Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program

Related Links

• Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange (TrADE)
• National Center for Safe Routes to School
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
• Safe Routes to School National Partnership
• People for Bikes

Recreational Trails Information

*North Dakota's Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is administered by the North Dakota Parks and Recreation. Information on the RTP can be found online at: North Dakota Parks and Recreation