November 2024 Policy Newsletter
Inside Track: Federal Funding Opportunities and Successful State Ballot Initiatives
Federal Funding News and Resources
RAISE NOFO Open: Fiscal Year 2024 Projects of Merit Prioritized
Applications are now open for the FY 2025 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) cycle.
The key difference in this funding cycle is the reservation of funds for FY 2024 Projects of Merit. The U.S. Department of Transportation will reserve a portion of the $1.5 billion available for FY 2025 for projects that scored exceptionally well in FY 2024 but did not receive funding. There are two rounds for this cycle—the first for FY 2024 Projects of Merit and the second for new applications.
A few things to note about Round 1:
- Applicants to FY 2024 Projects of Merit must email RAISEgrants@dot.gov by Dec. 2, 2024, if they want their FY 2024 application considered for awards under the reserved funding.
- No amendments are being made to either the selection criteria or the process. No application modifications will be needed or accepted.
- Round 1 selections are expected to be announced by Jan. 13, 2025.
- FY 2024 Projects of Merit not selected for awards under Round 1 must submit a revised application in Grants.gov to be considered under Round 2 of the FY 2025 RAISE program.
For Round 2, all interested applicants must submit applications to Grants.gov by Jan. 30, 2025. Selections are expected to be announced no later than June 28, 2025.
Learn more about this new process.
If you are eligible for Round 1, Rails to Trails Conservancy encourages you to apply for an easy opportunity to advance active transportation in your community. Round 2 will be decided by a new administration, according to priorities yet to be determined.
Read more about successful RAISE projects that include trail and active transportation elements on our case studies page.
PROTECT NOFO Open
Applications are open for the FY 2024 and FY 2025 rounds of the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grants. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 24, 2025, to Grants.gov.
Learn more about the program and application requirements here. You can also read more about PROTECT projects that prioritize active transportation to address climate resiliency on our case studies page.
FY 2023 Transportation Alternatives Spending Report Released
The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) is the largest dedicated source of funding for trails, walking and bicycling in the United States. RTC has monitored how these funds have been invested and the projects that have been built for more than 30 years.
The annual “Transportation Alternatives Spending Report” is an important tool for states, regions and active transportation professionals to understand and strengthen TASA, thus improving the efficiency and impact of the investments made. In this report, we provide a look at the history of Transportation Alternatives (TA) programs and examine how recent changes are supporting state and local decision-makers and advocates in getting eligible projects funded.
Below are some key takeaways from this year’s report:
- Some states are implementing reforms to better deliver on TA.
- The use of FY 2023 funds illustrates a sharper focus on equity and safety.
- Restricting transfers has reduced the amount of funds lost, ensuring that more are used for their intended purpose.
- With TA funds increasing by an average of 70% over the five-year period of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), states have increased award size. As of FY 2023, the average federal project award was $1.41 million, up from $776,381 in FY 2021 and $421,219 nationwide in FY 2019.
- With larger project awards, we are seeing more strategic projects that better advance key objectives such as connecting people to routine destinations.
You can read the full report here.
Learn more about how FY 2023 TA funds were used in our recent blog. You can also check out our recent webinar, which explores report findings as well as how select states are innovatively using TA funds.
Join RTC’s upcoming dialogue, “Advocating for a High-Performing Transportation Alternatives Program,” on Monday, Dec. 9, at 1 p.m. ET, for an interactive discussion exploring how to advocate for improved TA program implementation in your state or region. Register here.
News From the State Capitols
Big Wins for Ballot Campaigns
In states and communities across the country, voters sent a clear message: They want to be able to walk and bike where they live. Whether for transportation or conservation, people solidly supported trails at the ballot box. Americans are proving that they support investments in trails and other walking and biking infrastructure.
This positive news reinforces the importance of our state and local advocacy, so we can secure big wins for active transportation at all levels.
The following states scored big wins for trails and other active transportation infrastructure:
- Washington: Voters overwhelmingly defeated Initiative 2117, which would have repealed the state climate cap and dramatically cut funding for infrastructure projects that reduce driving, including trails and Safe Routes to School programs.
- Maine: Voters passed Question 4—the Maine Trails Bond, which will provide $30 million over four years in competitive grant funding to towns, organizations and clubs to support the design, maintenance and construction of trails. It prioritizes accessibility and sustainable design standards with 25% of funds going to motorized, 25% to nonmotorized and 50% to multiuse trails.
- California: Voters convincingly passed Proposition 4, which will generate $10 billion for natural resources and climate response, including:
- Investing $700 million in parks and outdoor recreation, making a day outside or a trip by walking or biking more accessible and enjoyable to more Californians
- Investing $100 million for expanding trail networks and $200 million for increasing public access to the coastal areas by creating trails, bike lanes, restrooms and parking areas
- Prioritizing projects focused on equity and directing 40% of all funds toward underserved communities
- Providing funding for community cooling centers, wildfire prevention strategies, clean drinking water and the preservation of our iconic natural lands
- Ohio: In Franklin County, voters overwhelmingly passed Issue 47—or LinkUS, which will invest heavily in public transportation as well as an average of $60 million per year for trails, walking and biking projects. By 2030, these active transportation investments will:
- Fund more than 150 miles of new sidewalks, trails and bikeways
- Invest in projects in 35 jurisdictions, including 55 multi-jurisdictional projects
- Build more than 80 projects, including sidewalks, bike paths, greenways and trails, safer crosswalks, and upgraded bus stops
- Florida: In Lake County, voters passed the Lake County Forever Bond initiative, which will preserve water quality and open spaces for future generations and will allocate $25 million to trail development. It could be the catalyst to complete the long-pursued Tav-Dora Trail.
For more information, read RTC’s new blog, “Biking, Walking and Trails Win Big in 2024 Ballot Measures.”
Resources and Must-Read News:
Upcoming Webinar: Post-Election Landscape: Next Steps for the Trail and Active Transportation Movement
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1 p.m. ET
Join RTC to learn more about what the election results mean for trails, walking and biking. During this webinar, RTC’s VP of Policy, Kevin Mills, will outline: notable developments from state and local ballot measures; shifts in Congressional leadership; and expected changes in federal executive branch leadership that will shape the opportunities available to the active transportation movement now and over the years to come.
Upcoming Dialogue: Advocating for a High-Performing Transportation Alternatives Program
Date: Monday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m. ET
Join RTC for an interactive discussion exploring how to advocate for improved Transportation Alternatives (TA) program implementation.
Recent Webinar: Working With Railroads Part 1: Productive Partnerships for Successful Projects
RTC: Webinars From the Archive
Miss a recent webinar or online dialogue? You can find free access to all our recent RTC virtual events in the webinar archive or Resource Library on our website!
U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration: Technical Assistance Resources
This is a handy compilation of technical assistance resources by the USDOT and FHWA specifically aimed at supporting disadvantaged communities, as well as walking, biking and active transportation. Find out where to turn if you have questions about any of the federal funding programs, and learn about the potential public agencies and private organizations that may be able to provide assistance.
- New FHWA Resource of Interest: Guide for Maintaining Active Transportation Infrastructure for Enhanced Safety