Continuing his series examining the changes and new provisions detailed in the new federal surface transportation bill, Jason Jordan, APA's Director of Policy and Government Affairs, looks at the new Transportation Alternatives program.
Replacing the Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Scenic Byways programs from the prior comprehensive funding bill (SAFETEA-LU), the new Transportation Alternatives (TA) program was one of the most contentious pieces of the MAP-21 negotiations. So where did the final bill land?
Although funding for the program continues to be dedicated (albeit at FY 2009 levels), "The major compromise reached on Transportation Alternatives is to
essentially expand both flexibility for states and control for
metropolitan regions," writes Jordan. The new program expands the types of projects eligible for funding and gives each state an avenue to "transfer its balance of unobligated funding to other
projects."
According to Jordan, "Supporters of TA-eligible projects will have new opportunities to pursue
local projects funding through the 50 percent set aside for metro
areas. But, these same supporters will have to pressure states to ensure
that vital bike, pedestrian, and safety resources are not siphoned off
to other projects by state officials."
FULL STORY: Inside MAP-21: Transportation Alternatives
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